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Ariana Baio
Apr 07, 2022
UN General Assembly suspends Russia from human rights body
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Seven GOP representatives voted against the US launching an investigation into potential war crimes committed by Russia while invading Ukraine, although one says she didn't mean to.
More evidence from Ukraine indicates that Russia has committed atrocious war crimes against Ukrainian civilians.
The growing number of images and stories have inspired leaders to hold Russia further accountable, sparking the House of Representatives to introduce the Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability Act.
The bill asks President Biden to "collect, analyze, and preserve evidence and information related to war crimes" committed by Russia and submit the report to Congress within 60 days.
In a 418-7 vote, it was clear an overwhelming number of House members are in favor of investigating Russia's actions. But six Republican representatives disagree.
Andy Biggs, Warren Davidson, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, and Scott Perry all voted 'no' on the bill which passed through the House on Wednesday.
Wyoming representative Liz Cheney also voted "nay", however, her office told The Hill it was a mistake.
Re those are saying Cheney also vote no: It was in error and her office said she is submitting a formal statement to the Clerk of the House to make clear that she intended to vote yes.https://twitter.com/kristin__wilson/status/1511848210515599361\u00a0\u2026— Kristin Wilson (@Kristin Wilson) 1649288322
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The six intentional 'nay voters' all expressed similar justifications - fearing the bill could open up the door for the US military to be investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The bill does not state it would turn over information to the ICC, rather it directs President Biden to submit a report to Congress which can then be used “in appropriate domestic, foreign, and international courts and tribunals prosecuting those responsible for such crimes.”
Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie all expressed this opinion on their respective social media pages.
HR 7276 would hand over authority & our intelligence to the ICJ & ICC - international courts that could put our military on trial.\n\nI will not vote for globalism & the slow slide to become a one world government. I will only vote to protect America, our military, & our borders.— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene) 1649342680
I voted against H.R. 7276, the Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability Act, for a number of reasons.\n\nIt's important to investigate probable Russian crimes against humanity. \n\nBut it's also important to not give our findings to corrupt institutions like the ICC.pic.twitter.com/sm4dv8LLCZ— Rep Andy Biggs (@Rep Andy Biggs) 1649349208
Some of my colleagues and I voted against this resolution in part because it contains language that could set the table for bringing spurious war crimes charges against American service members for mistakes made during military operations in theaters such as Afghanistan.pic.twitter.com/pwxc5z6smo— Thomas Massie (@Thomas Massie) 1649340410
All three representatives have voted "nay" on past legislature that would impose harsher trading sanctions on Russia and expressed their wariness to take further action.
Meanwhile Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry, Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, and Ohio Rep. Warren Davidson have not explain their reasoning. We reached out to their offices for comment
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