# 119-sres-855: A resolution acknowledging that it is in the national interest of the United States to support democratic actors in the Russian Federation, commending the work of Russian civil society and independent media to expose and respond to the crimes of the government of Vladimir Putin and pursue accountability for such crimes.

119-sres-855, A resolution acknowledging that it is in the national interest of the United States to support democratic actors in the Russian Federation, commending the work of Russian civil society and independent media to expose and respond to the crimes of the government of Vladimir Putin and pursue accountability for such crimes., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] (D-NH); status introduced (as of 2026-09-30).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-855
- As of: 2026-09-30
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sres-855
- Congress: 119
- Title: A resolution acknowledging that it is in the national interest of the United States to support democratic actors in the Russian Federation, commending the work of Russian civil society and independent media to expose and respond to the crimes of the government of Vladimir Putin and pursue accountability for such crimes.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-09-16
- Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] (D-NH)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-30

## Summary

**Backing pro-democracy Russians and independent media.** This resolution would condemn the Russian government's repression and war crimes and call for renewed U.S. engagement with pro-democracy actors through the Democracy Fund and in consultation with the National Endowment for Democracy. - Pro-democracy Russians, independent journalists, and civil society: The resolution expresses U.S. solidarity and highlights their work exposing war crimes, helping Ukrainians, and supporting antiwar Russians. - Political prisoners and detainees: It cites more than 1,700 political prisoners and names U.S. detainees such as Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, bringing official attention to wrongful detentions. - U.S. diplomatic posture and NGOs: It urges the State Department to renew and bolster engagement and to consult groups like the National Endowment for Democracy, American Councils, and the Institute of International Education.

## Cosponsors (5)

- Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] (R-MS), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC] (R-NC), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] (R-ME), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (D-VA), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (R-AK), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-5025: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026
- 119-s-1552: Living Donor Protection Act of 2025
- 119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-sres-855 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-resolution/855)

## Related
- [119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2296)
- [119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4784)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-5025: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5025)
- [119-s-1552: Living Donor Protection Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1552)
- [119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1241)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-855 (as of 2026-09-30).