Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the recent developments relating to Edward Snowden in Russia:

“Those who are entrusted with the security of our country must be held to the highest standard of accountability. There is no excuse for actions that endanger the lives of Americans at home and abroad. The Russian government’s granting Edward Snowden ‘refugee’ status is absolutely unacceptable and will have a very negative impact on our relations across the board. I am disappointed that Russia has not already returned Snowden to the United States to allow him to face felony charges and defend his actions in a U.S. court of law.   President Obama must make clear to President Putin that there can be no ‘business as usual’ as long as Russia continues to harbor this fugitive from justice.  He should immediately announce that he will not meet one-on-one with the Russian president at the upcoming G-20 Summit in Russia in September.  Putin knows how to play hardball, so should we.”

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