Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Matt House (202) 224-2939

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) have introduced a bipartisan resolution encouraging the Russian government to turn over Edward Snowden to the United States. Since June 23 Snowden has been on Russian territory in the Sheremetyevo Airport.

If Russia continues to shelter Snowden, the Senators encourage President Obama to give consideration to recommending an alternate location for the September G20 Summit scheduled to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The Graham-Schumer resolution states:

• The Russian Federation's continued willingness to provide shelter to Edward Snowden is negatively impacting the US-Russia relationship.

• Russia should immediately turn Edward Snowden over to the appropriate United States authorities so he can stand trial in the United States;

• President Obama should consider other options, including recommending a different location for the September 2013 G20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, should Russia continue to allow shelter for Mr. Snowden.

"On multiple fronts, Russia is becoming one of the bad actors in the world," said Graham. "Russia continues to provide cover to the Iranian nuclear program and sell sophisticated weapons to the Assad regime in Syria to butcher tens of thousands of its own citizens. For Russia to grant temporary asylum to Mr. Snowden on top of all this would do serious damage to our relationship. It is past time we send a strong message to President Putin about Russia's actions and this resolution will help accomplish that goal."

"Time and time again. President Putin is too eager to stick a finger in the eye of the United States - whether it is arming the murderous Assad regime in Syria, supporting Iran's nuclear development or now providing shelter and Russian state protection to Edward Snowden," said Schumer. "Enough is enough. It's time to send a crystal clear message to President Putin about Russia's deplorable behavior, and this resolution will do just that."

The government of the United States has filed a criminal complaint against Snowden for theft of government property, unauthorized communication of national defense information, and the willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person.

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