Austin News

August 7, 2024

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), along with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), led more than a third of the Senate in a bipartisan letter to President Joe Biden yesterday urging him and his administration to prioritize the return of Austin Tice, an American journalist, Houston native, and Marine veteran who will mark the grim milestone of being held captive in Syria for 12 years on Aug. 14.

“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,” they 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.”

“Eleven years is far too long.”

Senators Cornyn and Van Hollen were joined on the letter by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Braun (R-IN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Thune (R-SD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Todd Young (R-IN), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), James Risch (R-ID), 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), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders(I-VT ), Brian Schatz(D-HI ), Jeanne Shaheen(D-NH ), Tina Smith(D-MN ), Thom Tillis(R-NC ), Mark Warner(D-VA ), and Peter Welch(D-VT ).

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

August 6, 2024

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

The White House

Washington, D.C. 20500

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.