Tenney, Blackburn Introduce Resolution Urging Biden Administration to Remove Russia as Permanent Member of UN Security Council

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) today introduced a resolution directing the Biden Administration to take all steps necessary to remove the Russian Federation as a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council, where the nation currently holds an influential seat with vast veto powers.

The UN Security Council is tasked with maintaining international peace and security among the countries of the world. As a Permanent Member of the Security Council, the Russian Federation can block any Security Council resolutions with their veto power. They also must agree to any changes to the UN Charter for them to take effect.

Last week, following Russia’s unprovoked and violent invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations (UN) Security Council proposed a resolution condemning Russia’s actions. Russia, as a Permanent Member of the Security Council, used its veto power to stop the resolution from moving any further. All the while, the Russian Ambassador to the UN presides over the Security Council meetings as president of the Council for the month of February.

“Russia is setting a new and dangerous precedent by abusing its role on the UN Security Council to legitimize its operation, fuel propaganda, and shield itself from accountability for its blatantly illegal and unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country. This resolution is certainly a tall order given the procedural hurdles it faces in the Security Council, but it does not mean Congress should back down. If international bodies are to garner the trust of the American people, symbolic efforts such as this are vital. We must call out the hypocrisy of Russia’s actions, and force Moscow to publicly defend its continued position on such an important body given its reckless actions and increasingly rogue status on the international stage. A country willing to take such blatant steps to provoke war, jeopardize the safety of civilians, and undermine the sovereignty of a founding UN member state should not retain its powerful position as a Permanent Member of the Security Council. I stand in strong support of the Ukrainian people and will continue to push for a robust diplomatic response to Vladimir Putin’s evil actions,” said Tenney.

“The Russian government is actively killing innocent Ukrainian civilians, committing war crimes, and invading sovereign territory unprovoked. At the same time, Moscow is driving decisions in the United Nations through its role as a Permanent Member of the Security Council. Russia must be exiled from the international community,” said Blackburn. “Putin is attempting to rebuild the Soviet Union and his ambassador should not be allowed to veto the United Nations’ response to Russian aggression. The Russian Federation is a direct threat to global security and the sovereignty of our international partners.”

Specifically, this resolution urges the Biden Administration to take all steps necessary to remove the Russian Federation as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council. It does not seek to remove the Russian Federation as a member of the UN or bar them from participating in the Security Council or other UN-related bodies.

The resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Joe Wilson (SC), Steve Chabot (OH), August Pfluger (TX), Ann Wagner (MO), Don Bacon (NE), David McKinley (WV), Bill Johnson (OH), Doug LaMalfa (CA), Pat Fallon (TX), Vicky Hartzler (MO), Patrick McHenry (NC), Brian Mast (FL), Dave Joyce (OH), Tim Burchett (TN), John Curtis (UT), Darrel Issa (CA), and Greg Steube (FL) in the House and by Senators Kevin Cramer (ND), Chuck Grassley (IA), Joni Ernst (IA), Rick Scott (FL), Roger Wicker (MS), Steve Daines (MT), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS) in the Senate.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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