Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce that the Congressional Task Force on Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad has been initiated by Congressman Ted Deutch from Florida and myself. The inspiration for me to form this task force was Majd Kamalmaz, a former resident of central Arkansas who was traveling to Syria to attend a family funeral where he was wrongfully detained and has been held in Syria ever since. I am dedicated to bringing him home safely to his family. Having a loved one detained or held hostage abroad is unimaginable. It is a heartbreaking experience for any family. Representative Deutch and I created this task force not only to help these struggling families but to be a resource for our colleagues in the House, as there are over 50 families here in America who are struggling with a member of their family held abroad. We want to help Members of Congress help their constituents cope with this issue. Every channel of the United States Government should be working to bring these Americans home and to disincentivize the wrongful detention of Americans in the future, by state actors or nonstate actors. Madam Speaker, I am committed to bringing Majd Kamalmaz home to his family. Ted Deutch and I are committed to using this task force to bring other Americans wrongfully detained home, into the arms of their loved ones. Marking 100th Anniversary of CCP”