Utah Valley Times

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) has joined Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), along with more than one-third of the Senate, in sending a letter to President Biden urging the return of American journalist Austin Tice. Tice went missing while reporting in Syria nearly 12 years ago. Following last week’s prisoner release, the senators requested that President Biden continue to use all available means to secure Tice's release.

“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,” the senators wrote. “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.”

The letter was co-signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mike Braun (R-IN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jack Reed (D-RI), James Risch (R-ID), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan(R-AK) , John Thune(R-SO) , Thom Tillis(R-NC) , Mark Warner(D-VA) , Peter Welch(D-VT) , and Todd Young(R-IN).

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 Congress and your Administration can continue working hand in hand on this important issue.

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