Van Hollen, Cornyn Lead Broad Bipartisan Push for the Return of American Journalist Austin Tice

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) led over a third of the Senate in a bipartisan push urging the return of American journalist Austin Tice. Following the momentum of last week’s historic prisoner release, the Senators request that President Biden continue to use all available means to secure Austin’s release. Austin, an American freelance journalist, went missing while reporting in Syria nearly 12 years ago. The Senators have worked closely with the Tice family, including meeting with Austin’s mother Debra Tice, to continue pushing for Austin’s release.

Senators Van Hollen and Cornyn were joined in sending the letter by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Jacklyn Rosen (D-Nev.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thomas Tillis (R-N.C.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear President Biden:

It has now been nearly 12 years since Austin Tice, a veteran Marine Corps Captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was detained at a checkpoint near Damascus, Syria while working as a freelance journalist. On August 11, 2022, you publicly indicated your administration knows that Austin has been held by the Syrian regime. On May 2, 2022, you met with Austin’s parents Debra and Marc Tice and committed to continue to pursue all available avenues to secure Austin's long overdue return to his family. Over four years ago, many of us joined a letter signed by a bipartisan group of members of the House and Senate urging President Trump to use the full weight of his national security team to secure Austin’s release. We now reiterate the request that you do everything possible to bring Austin home. 

As a beloved son, brother, Eagle Scout, journalist, and veteran, Austin represents the best our nation has to offer, and we are committed to working with you to return him to his loving family. As an American and a veteran, Austin deserves the full and active support of our government to secure his release. We also encourage your administration to utilize all available means to further discourage the hostage taking of American citizens.

Eleven years is far too long for Austin to be held. We ask that you keep us informed of your progress so that the Congress and your Administration can continue working hand in hand on this important issue.