Where do you stand?

house Bill H.R. 56

Designating a Pro-Russian, Ukrainian Separatist Militia as a Terrorist Organization

Argument in favor

These pro-Russian separatists have engaged in terrorism and crimes against humanity, it's high time the U.S. labeled them as what they are, restrict their travel and monitor their assets.

TDJCatholicBlogger's Opinion

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04/03/2015

Putin's aggression needs to be checked. He threatens Europe. Check him now and avoid a war later.

Like (7)

billwdk9's Opinion

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04/07/2015

The pro-Russian separatists are employing terror tactics in Ukraine. Therefore, by definition, they are a terrorist organization and should be labeled as such.

Like (6)

Dennis's Opinion

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04/11/2015

Because it's no secret that these are an extension of the Russian military by proxy and should be dealt with in that manner.

Like (5)

Argument opposed

Labelling this group as a terrorist organization will likely antagonize Russia, and could undermine the peace-making process. Also, at the end of the day , the charges against the Donbass People's Militia are still just allegations.

Bill's Opinion

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04/04/2015

We have to grow up and acknowledge the right of all people to organize and bear arms if necessary in order to effect change. Isn't this the same circumstance in 1776 when colonialists took up arms against Britain? I'm sure Britain thought colonialists were terrorists while colonialists thought of themselves as Freedom Fighters. The shoe is now on the other foot. We need to stand up for principals of individual freedoms and not succumb to labeling everyone that disagrees with us as terrorists. Otherwise we're going to increasingly exhaust ourselves fighting in not just the Middle East but also in Europe, Africa and wherever else things are not going as we would like.

Like (18)

Gary's Opinion

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04/04/2015

It is their business. We cannot be the worlds police.

Like (12)

Cary's Opinion

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04/08/2015

Hey, let's throw some gasoline on someone else's bonfire! Um, yea, no thanks.

Like (6)

What is House Bill H.R. 56?

This bill would direct the President to levy all available sanctions on any person under U.S. jurisdiction who knowingly provides material support or resources to the Donbass People’s Militia or its affiliates.

The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security would be prohibited from issuing a visa to, or approving entry into the U.S. of any member or representative of the Donbass People’s Militia or its associated groups.

Any U.S. financial institution that knowingly controls funds connected to the Donbass People’s Militia or its affiliates would be directed to retain possession the money and report it the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury.

Impact

People who are affiliated with, or have otherwise given assistance to the Donbass People’s Militia, U.S. financial institutions that are in possession of funds linked to the Donbass People’s Militia, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the President.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 56

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In-Depth:

In this legislation, Congress points out that the Donbass People’s Militia are a pro-Russian separatist group that are in armed combat against the Ukrainian government and its military. It also mentions the group’s linkage to the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, among other accusations of human rights abuses.

In August 2014 nearly identical legislation was introduced in the House, but it failed to advance out of committee and did not receive a vote before the end of the 113th Congress.

Of Note:

The European Union is considering designating the pro-Russian separatists as terrorists, which would make it easier to freeze the assets supporting them.

18 U.S. Senators sent a letter to President Obama in July 2014 requesting that the pro-Russian separatist militias be designated as terrorist organizations. In March of the following year, the Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on eight Ukrainian separatists and one pro-separatist Russian organization for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine — but stopped short of designating them as terrorists or a terrorist group.

Media:

Censor.net

Washington Times (Context)

Department of the Treasury (Context)

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: "Donbass Militia" by ShadowNinja1080 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

AKA

Donbass People's Militia Terrorist Designation Act of 2015

Official Title

To impose sanctions against persons who knowingly provide material support or resources to the Donbass People's Militia or its affiliates, associated groups, or agents, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

Not enacted
The President has not signed this bill
The senate has not voted
The house has not voted
IntroducedJanuary 6th, 2015

Bill Data

Issues

Committees

Committee on Financial Services
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Immigration and Citizenship
Committee on the Judiciary

Sponsor

Rep Sheila Jackson Lee

(D - TX)

0 Cosponsors

Introduced 01/06/2015

Full text of Bill

TDJCatholicBlogger's Opinion In Favor

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04/03/2015

Putin's aggression needs to be checked. He threatens Europe. Check him now and avoid a war later.

Like (7)

Bill's Opinion Against

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04/04/2015

Like (18)

Gary's Opinion Against

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04/04/2015

It is their business. We cannot be the worlds police.

Like (12)

Cary's Opinion Against

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04/08/2015

Hey, let's throw some gasoline on someone else's bonfire! Um, yea, no thanks.

Like (6)

billwdk9's Opinion In Favor

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04/07/2015

The pro-Russian separatists are employing terror tactics in Ukraine. Therefore, by definition, they are a terrorist organization and should be labeled as such.

Like (6)

Dennis's Opinion In Favor

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04/11/2015

Because it's no secret that these are an extension of the Russian military by proxy and should be dealt with in that manner.

Like (5)

joshualogancook's Opinion Against

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07/03/2015

Not all adversaries to our beliefs are terrorists. This is a dangerous method of categorization.

Like (4)

helmsworth's Opinion Against

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04/06/2015

Things are chaotic enough in Ukraine. We don't need to make it worse by antagonizing one side.

Like (3)

Elinor's Opinion Against

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04/03/2015

Not our business. Take care of THIS country and OUR citizens!

Like (2)

Tony's Opinion In Favor

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01/01/2016

They shot down a civilian airliner that wasn't even Ukrainian or Russian killing hundreds if that's not terrorism idk what is.

Like (2)

Bart's Opinion In Favor

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10/10/2015

Russia's violations of human rights need be adressed and dealt with before Putin recreates the Soviet Union.

Like (2)

MaggieTheVicious's Opinion Against

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04/04/2015

Not our business to but in to.

Like (1)

Douglass's Opinion In Favor

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04/06/2015

Screw Russia. Name the bad guys and treat them as such.

Like (1)

Peter's Opinion In Favor

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04/06/2015

We have to start calling these peple what they really are,and terrorist seems to fit

Like (1)

Oleg's Opinion Against

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04/03/2015

This is a civil war where both sides have committed atrocities. By labeling one side a terrorist organization while ignoring abuses by the other, we are acting hypocritically and are strengthening Putin and his government. Putin derives his power from domestic public opinion. It will be very easy for him to point out our double standards and paint the US as Russia's enemy.

Like (1)