Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Kean JR, June 27, 2025
Yesterday, Representatives Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07), French Hill (AR-02), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) introduced the bipartisan Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025, legislation that creates a designation for countries or nonstate actors that wrongfully detain American citizens or permanent residents, allowing the Secretary of State and Congress to hold them accountable.
Congressman Kean said, “My constituent, Sarah Moriarty, lost her father, Robert Levinson, after he was taken hostage by Iran in 2007. Her family spent years wondering where he was, not knowing if he was alive or if they would ever see him again. Sadly, far too many American families have lived through that same kind of fear and heartbreak. Hostile regimes like Iran continue to use innocent Americans as bargaining chips, dehumanizing and mistreating them—and in some cases, even taking their lives. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act makes it clear that there will be consequences for this kind of behavior, and the United States will always go to great lengths to protect its citizens.”
Congressman Hill said, “When Americans are wrongfully detained abroad, it’s not just a personal tragedy — it’s a direct attack on the United States. Those who wrongfully detain Americans must know that there will be real consequences for using U.S. citizens as political pawns. That’s why our bill gives the State Department the tools it needs to hold bad actors accountable while keeping Congress firmly engaged in the process. This bipartisan bill is a strong step toward protecting Americans by deterring and punishing them.”
Congressman Lawler said, “As a co-lead on the Countering Wrongful Detention Act, I’m proud to be joining a bipartisan group of colleagues working to protect Americans held hostage by rogue nations as political pawns. This legislation will provide the State Department with the necessary tools to exert pressure while ensuring that Congress maintains accountability. American families deserve nothing less.”
