Murray, Cornyn, Van Hollen, Warner Send Bipartisan Letter Urging Update on American Journalist Austin Tice in Light of the Fall of Assad Regime in Syria

Austin Tice-whose brother is a Washington state resident-has been held captive in Syria for 12 years

Washington, D.C. - Today,U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee - alongside U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Mark Warner (D-VA) - sent a bipartisan letter to President Joe Biden urging him to provide an update on efforts to locate and free Austin Tice in light of the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Tice is an American journalist and Marine veteran who has been held captive in Syria for 12 years. His brother is a resident of Washington state. In August, Murray joined other senators in a bipartisan push urging the return of Austin Tice.

The senators wrote: "We write to request an update regarding U.S. efforts to bring home Austin Tice, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and who has been detained in Syria since 2012. Given the recent fall of the Assad regime and the rapidly changing dynamics on the ground in Syria, we think this moment presents a critical opportunity to secure Austin's release and bring him home to his family."

"As a beloved son, brother, Eagle Scout, journalist, and veteran, Austin represents the best our nation has to offer and deserves the full and active support of our government to secure his release. Congress is committed and more than willing to work with you to return him to his loving family."

"Twelve years is far too long for Austin to be held. We ask that you direct the relevant members of your administration to provide us a briefing by December 20 on current U.S. efforts to identify Austin's whereabouts and bring him home so that the Congress and your Administration can continue working hand-in-hand on this important issue."

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

December 11, 2024

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

The White House

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Biden:

We write to request an update regarding U.S. efforts to bring home Austin Tice, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and who has been detained in Syria since 2012. Given the recent fall of the Assad regime and the rapidly changing dynamics on the ground in Syria, we think this moment presents a critical opportunity to secure Austin's release and bring him home to his family.

We know that you are familiar with Austin's case, as your administration publicly acknowledged Austin's detention by the Syrians in 2022, and you also met with Austin's parents, Debra and Marc Tice, in 2022. We also know that National Security Advisor (NSA) Sullivan met with Austin's family on December 6. Moreover, Congress has pressed for Austin's release for several years, most recently in a joint letter led by Senator Van Hollen and Senator Cornyn and signed by 34 Senators on August 6, 2024.

On December 8, you said that your administration believes he is alive and that "We want to get him out. We have to identify where he is." We appreciate those comments as well as those of NSA Sullivan on December 9, saying "This is a top priority for us - to find Austin Tice, to locate the prison where he may be held, get him out, get him home safely to his family."

For more than 12 years, Austin's parents have demanded our government bring him home, and given the evolving situation in Syria, we urge you to seize this opportunity to launch an urgent effort to secure Austin's release. As a beloved son, brother, Eagle Scout, journalist, and veteran, Austin represents the best our nation has to offer and deserves the full and active support of our government to secure his release. Congress is committed and more than willing to work with you to return him to his loving family. We encourage your administration to utilize all available means to further discourage the hostage taking of American citizens.

Twelve years is far too long for Austin to be held. We ask that you direct the relevant members of your administration to provide us a briefing by December 20 on current U.S. efforts to identify Austin's whereabouts and bring him home so that the Congress and your Administration can continue working hand-in-hand on this important issue.

Sincerely,

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