Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-04-29

Turner, Wagner, Bell, Auchincloss Introduce Legislation to Advance Stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina

ImmigrationForeign PolicyChinaEthics

Context

This press release from Representative Michael R. Turner (R-OH) was published on 2026-04-29 and titled "Turner, Wagner, Bell, Auchincloss Introduce Legislation to Advance Stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina". It focuses on immigration and touches on foreign policy, China.

Full Text

Turner, Wagner, Bell, Auchincloss Introduce Legislation to Advance Stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), along with Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02), Congressman Wesley Bell (MO-01), and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-04) introduced the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act. This bipartisan piece of legislation would mandate sanctions on foreign persons who undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement or otherwise threaten the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. "The Dayton Peace Accords ended one of the bloodiest conflicts in Europe's history and laid the foundation for lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, we are reminded of our constant commitment to the fragile security situation established and our duty to make it a lasting and stable peace," said Congressman Mike Turner. "The United States will continue to stand with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to protect their sovereignty, support democratic institutions, and ensure that the hard-won peace of Dayton is never undone." "The largest Bosnian community outside of Bosnia is centered here in the St. Louis area, and for years I have worked closely with them to advance our shared goal of a unified and peaceful Bosnia and Herzegovina. We condemn Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik's flagrant disregard for the law, and it is critical we put a stop to his destabilizing actions in the region that have gotten worse by the week," said Congresswoman Ann Wagner. "My Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act will sanction criminals like Dodik and others like him who seek to tear apart the institutions that safeguard Bosnia's fragile peace. The new Axis of Evil that is China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is cheering on bad actors like Dodik, and it is critical to global stability we stop this evil in its tracks to send a message that the world will not stand for corrupt secessionists like him gaining another foothold." "Peace doesn't keep itself. When bad actors try to undermine democracy and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.S. has to act," said Congressman Wesley Bell. "This bill is about holding those individuals accountable and standing firm behind the Dayton Peace Agreement. We can't afford to look the other way while corruption and division threaten hard-won peace." "Support for the Dayton Peace Agreement is strong and bipartisan in Congress. Bad actors like Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik must not shred the institutional sinews of a peaceful and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Congressman Jake Auchincloss. "America must not retreat from our work in Balkans, or else Russia will fill the void." Background: In 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, starting the Bosnian War. The Bosnian War consisted of armed militias mobilizing and attempting an ethnic cleansing of the Bosniaks and Bosnian Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This ethnic cleansing on behalf of the Army of Republika Srpska culminated in the Srebrenica genocide in July of 1995. The Dayton Peace Accords, negotiated at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and signed in late November of 1995 which ended the Bosnian War, established the single sovereign state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Dayton Peace Accords laid the groundwork for democratic elections and established commissions to safeguard human rights, while addressing the return of refugees, mandating the disarmament of armed factions, and authorizing the deployment of international peacekeepers to ensure compliance and maintain security. In May of 2025, Congressman Mike Turner proudly hosted the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in Dayton, Ohio, where parliamentarians and Heads of State from 45 nations gathered to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords and focus on securing a lasting stability in the Balkans. This historic occasion underscored Dayton's enduring role in advancing international peace and transatlantic cooperation.

View original source →

Turner, Wagner, Bell, Auchincloss Introduce Legislation to Advance Stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), along with Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02), Congressman Wesley Bell (MO-01), and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-04) introduced the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act. This bipartisan piece of legislation would mandate sanctions on foreign persons who undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement or otherwise threaten the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. "The Dayton Peace Accords ended one of the bloodiest conflicts in Europe's history and laid the foundation for lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, we are reminded of our constant commitment to the fragile security situation established and our duty to make it a lasting and stable peace," said Congressman Mike Turner. "The United States will continue to stand with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to protect their sovereignty, support democratic institutions, and ensure that the hard-won peace of Dayton is never undone." "The largest Bosnian community outside of Bosnia is centered here in the St. Louis area, and for years I have worked closely with them to advance our shared goal of a unified and peaceful Bosnia and Herzegovina. We condemn Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik's flagrant disregard for the law, and it is critical we put a stop to his destabilizing actions in the region that have gotten worse by the week," said Congresswoman Ann Wagner. "My Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act will sanction criminals like Dodik and others like him who seek to tear apart the institutions that safeguard Bosnia's fragile peace. The new Axis of Evil that is China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is cheering on bad actors like Dodik, and it is critical to global stability we stop this evil in its tracks to send a message that the world will not stand for corrupt secessionists like him gaining another foothold." "Peace doesn't keep itself. When bad actors try to undermine democracy and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.S. has to act," said Congressman Wesley Bell. "This bill is about holding those individuals accountable and standing firm behind the Dayton Peace Agreement. We can't afford to look the other way while corruption and division threaten hard-won peace." "Support for the Dayton Peace Agreement is strong and bipartisan in Congress. Bad actors like Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik must not shred the institutional sinews of a peaceful and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Congressman Jake Auchincloss. "America must not retreat from our work in Balkans, or else Russia will fill the void." Background: In 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, starting the Bosnian War. The Bosnian War consisted of armed militias mobilizing and attempting an ethnic cleansing of the Bosniaks and Bosnian Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This ethnic cleansing on behalf of the Army of Republika Srpska culminated in the Srebrenica genocide in July of 1995. The Dayton Peace Accords, negotiated at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and signed in late November of 1995 which ended the Bosnian War, established the single sovereign state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Dayton Peace Accords laid the groundwork for democratic elections and established commissions to safeguard human rights, while addressing the return of refugees, mandating the disarmament of armed factions, and authorizing the deployment of international peacekeepers to ensure compliance and maintain security. In May of 2025, Congressman Mike Turner proudly hosted the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in Dayton, Ohio, where parliamentarians and Heads of State from 45 nations gathered to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords and focus on securing a lasting stability in the Balkans. This historic occasion underscored Dayton's enduring role in advancing international peace and transatlantic cooperation.