Sens. Cruz, Cornyn Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging President Trump to Secure Austin Tice’s Return to the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) along with 50 Senators and 120 Representatives penned a letter to President Trump expressing their support and urging for his continued efforts to secure Austin Tice's return to the United States. Seven years ago, while working as a freelance journalist, Austin Tice, a veteran Marine Corps Captain and Texan, was kidnaped and detained in Syria.

As the Senators wrote:

"It has now been more than seven 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 in the country as a freelance journalist.

"The Tice family and your own administration are confident that Austin is alive. We strongly urge that you continue to use the full weight of your national security team - including dispatching the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs - to secure his release. Seven years is simply too long for Austin to be separated from his loved ones."

Last week, Sen. Cruz met with Marc and Debra Tice, Austin Tice's parents, and expressed his commitment to continuing to work with President Trump to secure Austin's safe return home and to be reunited with his family.

Read the full letter here.

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