Deluzio Statement on Prisoner Swap, Exclusion of Pennsylvanian Marc Fogel

Statement

Today is a day of mixed emotions.

I am happy for all the Russian-held hostages returned to the United States today, and that they will soon be reunited with their loved ones.

At the same time, I am frustrated and saddened that detained Western Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel was not included in this prisoner swap.

For now, it seems 63-year-old Marc Fogel—who has severe medical conditions—will remain in the harsh Russian prison where he is serving a fourteen-year sentence. He was detained almost three years ago for the possession of a small amount of doctor-prescribed medical marijuana.

The sad reality that Marc Fogel is not headed back to Western Pennsylvania makes this a crushing day for his family, our community, and all who have been in the fight to try and bring him home.

I have been working to bring Marc Fogel home since I came to Congress, along with our Senators and my House colleagues in the Pennsylvania delegation. And while today is disappointing, I will not give up.

Americans expect their government to fight for them, and I will continue to do exactly that for as long as it takes.

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