A bipartisan group of 31 U.S. Senators introduced a resolution on Thursday calling for Russia to release Brittney Griner immediately.
The resolution, which is similar to one passed by the House of Representatives in June, was authored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Among the other 27 senators who co-sponsored the resolution are Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
The resolution specifically called for the United States to “raise the case of Brittney Griner and push for her release” during all interactions with Russia. It also calls for Russia to “provide consular access” to Griner as long as she is in Russian custody and for Russia to “respect the human rights of Brittney Griner.”
Griner has been detained in Russia since February 17. The 31-year-old Phoenix Mercury player pleaded guilty earlier this month on charges that she brought cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis into Russia.
Griner has said she did not mean to break any laws; she claims she packed too hastily, resulting in the cartridges unintentionally being present in her luggage.
The basketball player could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.
In May, the U.S. State Department reclassified Griner as being wrongfully detained. Earlier Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared that classifying Griner as a wrongful detainee disrespects Russian law.
“Arizonans have love and admiration for Brittney Griner both on and off the court,” said Sen. Sinema in a statement. “The Department of State has determined that Brittney was wrongfully detained – it’s past time for her to come home.”
In addition to demanding action to end the five-month-long wrongful detention of Griner, the resolution also expressed support for Griner’s family, Paul Whelan, another American detained in Russia, and all other “prisoners unjustly imprisoned in the Russian Federation.”
“The Russian government’s cruel treatment of Brittney Griner demands a full-court press spotlighting her wrongful detention since February and the unjust imprisonment of all U.S. citizens in Russia,” Sen. Wyden said. “The fact that this resolution has secured support from senators in both parties shows clearly the urgency of Ms. Griner’s immediate release so she can resume thrilling fans on the basketball court, inspiring Americans with her leadership off the court in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and of course returning to her friends and family working so hard for her release.”