[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H6868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SUPPORT FOR AMERICAN HOSTAGES AND DETAINEES ABROAD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Stevens) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, as a co-chair of the Congressional Task 
Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad, I 
rise in support of the Conference Report to Accompany the National 
Defense Authorization Act.
  In the past decade, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of 
Americans taken hostage by rogue states and bad actors who are trying 
to leverage civilians to get what they want.
  Right now, according to the Foley Foundation, there are currently at 
least 64 Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained in countries 
overseas. They are held in 16 different countries and territories.
  Now, more than ever, we must keep up the drumbeat to bring these 
individuals home. That is why I am so heartened that the NDAA includes 
two of my bills to support and assist Americans wrongfully detained 
abroad and their loved ones fighting to get them safely back home.
  First, the U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act designates 
March 9 as Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day and requests that the 
President issue a yearly proclamation urging Americans to observe this 
day in remembrance for those held hostage.
  The bill also requires the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag be 
flown at the Capitol, the White House, and numerous other Federal 
buildings.
  These families need our support. These families need the Nation's 
attention. These families need this legislation. By designating a day 
and a flag to be flown on Federal property, we will bring much-needed 
awareness to the plight of these Americans and the heartache of their 
families.
  In addition, I am so very pleased to see that the NDAA includes the 
Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act. 
Families of the wrongfully detained often spend thousands and thousands 
of dollars traveling back and forth to Washington to advocate for the 
release of their loved ones and to work on their safe return home.
  This bill would help families defray these costs by providing 
financial assistance to cover the costs of travel to and from 
Washington, D.C., including travel by air, train, bus, or other 
transit, as well as covering lodging expenses.

  These families who are already dealing with the detention of a loved 
one shouldn't have to worry about going broke or spending a life 
savings because they are working alongside the Federal Government to do 
what is right. This bill will help ease that financial burden.
  Finally, when detainees return home after years of wrongful 
detention, we must do more to ensure that they have the resources they 
need to return to normal life. They have often been stripped of 
employment, housing, and life as they knew it before they were taken 
hostage.
  We must remember that the wrongfully detained have been imprisoned 
oftentimes for years, if not decades, which is wrong. They may come 
home, but they won't necessarily come home to a job. We cannot let 
these individuals fall through the cracks when they return. We need to 
help them return back to society.
  That is why I am so proud that this bill will also seek to make 
available physical health services, mental health services, and other 
support, including providing information on available legal or 
financial resources for up to 5 years following the release of a 
detainee.
  We need to make sure that these individuals have the physical and 
mental health assistance that they need to recover from unspeakable 
trauma.
  While nothing can give back the years that our adversaries or the 
time that our adversaries have taken from these Americans, we have a 
responsibility to help them get back on their feet.
  I sincerely thank the other co-chair of the American Hostage and 
Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad Task Force, Mr. French Hill from 
Arkansas, for working with me on both of these bills.
  I also pay recognition to the families of the hostages, particularly 
the family of my constituent, Paul Whelan, who is about to hit 5 years 
wrongfully detained in Russia. We are continuing to shine a light on 
Paul and demand and call for his release from the Russian Government.
  To those held hostage, Congress stands behind you. Congress continues 
to work alongside our ally, Israel, in calling for the return of the 
138 hostages currently still being held in Gaza.

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