Calling for the Immediate Release of Ryan Corbett, A United States Citizen

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGARVEY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and call for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett and all unlawfully detained Americans.

Today marks the 671st day that Ryan Corbett, an American citizen, has been wrongfully detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan--671 days.

When you have these jobs, you never know who is going to call your office. I learned of Ryan's capture when his father, Drew, called our office to let us know that his son was being unlawfully held by the Taliban. We were shocked.

It is absolutely horrifying to get that kind of call, especially from another dad in my hometown. I can't imagine as a parent what it is like to have your child taken from you, knowing they are alive, knowing they are struggling, and knowing you can't get to them. To get that call just breaks your heart.

The reality is Ryan's whole family deserves to have him home. Ryan has been allowed only eight phone calls with his family since being detained in 2022, a total of 85 minutes in 671 days. We stand committed to bringing Ryan back for them.

I am so grateful to Representative Tenney for leading this resolution and for her persistence in fighting for Ryan and to Chairman McCaul and Representative Keating for their words here today, and I thank the Biden administration for working to get Ryan home as quickly as possible.

We are with Ryan's dad, Drew; Ryan's wife, Anna; his children, Ketsia, Miriam, and Caleb; and the rest of Ryan's family and friends. We are fighting for Ryan. This is a bipartisan effort, an American effort, and we will keep doing everything we can to bring Ryan home safely.

Today, Congress sends a clear message: We must bring Ryan home now.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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