Rep. Stevens to Serve as New American Hostage Task Force Co-Chair
Washington, DC– Today, Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) announced she will serve as the new co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad. Rep. Stevens is taking over Congressman Ted Deutch’s (FL-22) chairmanship, who previously co-chaired the task force with Rep. French Hill (AR-2), since launching it last year. Friday, September 30th was Congressman Deutch’s last day in Congress.
“Since entering Congress, I have been fighting for the release of my constituent Paul Whelan, who has been wrongfully detained in Russia for nearly four years,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11). “Americans will not be used as political pawns, and it is an honor to continue working to free every wrongfully detained American in my new capacity as co-chair of the American Hostage Task Force. Under the leadership of Reps. Deutch and Hill, our bipartisan task force has done incredible work to increase communication, streamline resources, and reunite families. I am grateful to Congressman Deutch for his previous service as co-chair, and look forward to advancing the task force’s core mission of bringing every wrongfully detained American home.”
“Congresswoman Haley Stevens is a champion for the families of American hostages and wrongful detainees, dedicated to bringing every American wrongfully held abroad home,”said Former Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-22). “As a fierce advocate for her constituent, Paul Whelan, and his family, she understands how painful and personal this issue can be. The Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad will benefit immensely from her leadership in the months and years to come.”
“I’m proud to welcome my friend, Rep. Haley Stevens, as the newest co-chair of the American Hostage Task Force,” said Rep. French Hill (AR-2). “Rep. Stevens has been an outspoken advocate calling for the release of her constituent, Paul Whelan, from Russia, and I’m looking forward to working with her to do everything we can to bring Americans wrongfully detained home.”
“The Whelan family is delighted to know that Congresswoman Haley Stevens will be taking on a leadership role with the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad,” said Elizabeth Whelan, sister of Paul Whelan.“Rep. Stevens has been a champion for Paul Whelan, who has been wrongfully in Russia for almost 4 years, and has courageously spoken out for Paul through his entire ordeal. We are certain she will be as staunch an ally for all Americans wrongfully detained overseas, and for their families here in the US fighting hostile foreign governments to obtain their loved one's release.”
The bipartisan Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad seeks to create a singular, streamlined process by which U.S. families can seek assistance from the federal government after a loved one is detained abroad and aims to help recovered Americans resume life in the United States. Rep. Stevens has served on the task force since its launch last year.