Press Releases

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Hostage Task Force, had their bill, the Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act, signed into law through the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

 

“I am pleased that my bill with Rep. Stevens was signed into law through the 2024 NDAA," said Rep. Hill. "This legislation will reduce the financial hardships families may face while traveling to Washington, D.C. to advocate for their loved ones who are wrongfully detained. As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Hostage Task Force, we will continue to fight to bring every American wrongfully detained worldwide home safely.”

 

"I’m heartened that provisions from the Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act I co-sponsored with Rep. French Hill was just signed into law by President Biden as part of the NDAA," said Rep. Stevens. "These families have had to deal with unimaginable pain awaiting the fate of their loved ones, and the last thing they should have to consider is their finances. With these provisions, families of hostages will be able to come to DC with a singular focus: ensuring the safe return home of those most important to them in their life. Their stories play an instrumental role in this fight, and we need to make them heard." 

 

 

Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act: This bill would provide families of wrongfully detained Americans with travel cost assistance, such as airfare and hotels, in order to help them travel to Washington to advocate on behalf of their loved one.