Two senior U.S. senators are raising national security concerns over a recent visit to the United States by a delegation of sanctioned Russian lawmakers, questioning why the group was allowed entry and what access they may have had to sensitive information.
In a letter dated April 3, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Roger Wicker called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to explain the circumstances surrounding the visit by members of the Russian State Duma, all of whom are subject to U.S. sanctions.
The senators said the delegation reportedly met with members of Congress and executive branch officials, despite the lawmakers’ ties to the Kremlin and alleged involvement in activities harmful to U.S. interests.
They warned the visit could pose serious counterintelligence risks.
"The delegation came onto U.S. soil for one purpose: to advance the Kremlin’s strategic aims — including gathering additional useful intelligence," the senators wrote.
The letter cites broader concerns about Russia’s geopolitical posture, including alleged support for Iranian military targeting of U.S. personnel in the Middle East and warnings from European intelligence agencies about potential future aggression against NATO countries.
The senators also pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued stance on Ukraine, describing prospects for peace as unlikely.
Among those identified in the delegation were several high-profile Russian lawmakers, including Vyacheslav Nikonov, Mikhail Delyagin, and Boris Chernyshov.
The senators noted that all three have made inflammatory public statements regarding the United States and Ukraine and are sanctioned under Executive Order 14024 for conduct deemed harmful to U.S. national security.
Shaheen and Wicker questioned why sanctions were waived to allow the delegation’s travel, including permission for their aircraft to land at a U.S. airport.
They also asked whether counterintelligence assessments were conducted on the visitors and requested a full accounting of their meetings with U.S. officials.
The senators requested details on any conditions attached to the sanctions waivers, as well as a complete list of individuals who traveled with the delegation and any security precautions taken during their visit.
"It is troubling that, despite those concerns, the U.S. government would give these individuals access to U.S. government institutions," the letter states.
The State and Treasury departments have not yet publicly responded to the letter.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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