Russian-owned news outlet Sputnik will not get press passes to Congress after being denied by the Congressional Periodical Press Gallery because it is state-sponsored, according to a report.

Sputnik applied for press credentials earlier this year and the press gallery announced its decision this week. The decision was made because the press gallery does not allow outlets to "act as an agent for, or be employed by the Federal, or any State, local or foreign government or representatives thereof," Politico reported.

No state-sponsored news outlets are members of the press gallery.

The press gallery is the gatekeeper to permanent access to Capitol Hill facilities, facilitating access to lawmakers and staffers.

Sputnik is also attempting to obtain a White House press pass and wants to be a member of the White House Foreign Press Group, Politico reported.

The committee that runs the press gallery takes connections to government extremely seriously.

Last month, Breitbart faced intense questioning over its connections to White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and its independence from the Trump administration. It's not clear if Breitbart will get permanent Capitol Hill press passes.