Exclusive – In an unusual bipartisan push Wednesday morning, senators from both sides of the aisle asked President Biden to brief the Senate on ongoing efforts to free Austin Tice from Syria by Dec. 20. He asked the government to instruct the government to do so.
The letter, first obtained by Fox News Digital, was sent to the Oval Office by senators. Sen. John Cornyn, Republican, TexasChris Van Hollen, D-M.D., called on Biden to “take control” of the rapidly changing situation in Syria and secure Tice's return.
“Given the recent collapse of the Assad regime and the rapidly changing dynamics on the ground in Syria, now is an important opportunity to secure Mr. Austin's release and bring him home to his family,” the letter, signed by 34 senators, said. I'm thinking about it,” it says. .
Freelance journalist Austin Tice went missing in Syria in 2012 and has not been heard from since. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Search for Austin Tice resumes as Syria's Assad regime collapses
The letter praised comments by both Biden and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who asserted that Tice's return was a “top priority” amid the rebel occupation of Damascus. But MPs are demanding to be briefed on the detailed steps being taken to secure his release.
Multiple reward programs have been launched by both the FBI offering up to $1 million and the State Department's Rewards for Justice program offering $10 million for information regarding Tice's whereabouts.
“The United States is conducting intensive efforts to locate and bring Austin Tice home to his family,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Monday night.
The State Department's Rewards for Justice program is offering $10 million for information related to the Austin Tice discovery. (Rewards for State Department Justice)
Who is vying for power in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad?
There was a renewed effort to connect U.S. officials with sources on the ground who may have information about Tice's whereabouts.
Sullivan said Monday on ABC's “Good Morning America” that the U.S. is working with its Turkish partners through backchannel communications with people in Syria who may have information about which prison Tais is being held in. The State Department acknowledged that the special hostage situation envoy had said: Roger Carstens is working on a similar outreach approach in Beirut.
The fall of Assad's regime on Sunday brought new hope for Mr. Taïs's return. Mr Tais was captured in Damascus in 2012 and is assessed to be still alive, although his condition is unknown. The move comes as rebels have begun releasing men, women and children held in Damascus in recent days. The infamous Syrian prison.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) arrives for a luncheon with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol on February 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“For over 12 years, Austin's parents have been demanding that the government bring him home. Given the evolving situation in Syria, we would like to take this opportunity to We urge you to begin urgent efforts to secure his release.” Whalen emphasized. “As a beloved son, brother, Eagle Scout, journalist, and veteran, Austin deserves the best our country has to offer and will have the full and active support of our government to secure his release.” Worth it.
“Congress is committed and willing to work with us to return him to his loving family. We encourage the administration to use every tool at its disposal to further stop the taking of American hostages.” he added.
