Newsletter: The Enduring Strength of Naghmeh Abedini

Statement

Dear Friends,

This week I had the opportunity to listen to Naghmeh Abedini testify in front of the House Foreign Affairs Committee about her husband, Pastor Saeed Abedini, who is being detained in Iran. Though not a member of the committee myself, I was invited to say a few words at the hearing and show my support for the Abedini family.

As I listened to Naghmeh address the members of the committee -- the third time she has testified before Congress -- I was touched by her strength, love and concern for her husband. The last several years have been trying for this family. In 2012, her husband was arrested and charged with intentionally undermining the national security of Iran by gathering with other Christians in private homes. In 2013 he was sentenced to eight years in prison.

In addition to hearing testimony about the Americans being detained in Iran, the committee also unanimously passed a resolution that I am co-sponsoring, H. Res. 233. The resolution expresses the "sense of the House of Representatives that Iran should release all detained United States citizens immediately and provide any information it possesses regarding any United States citizens that have disappeared within its borders."

I have urged President Obama -- and continue to do so -- to advocate for the release of Pastor Saeed as he negotiates with the Iranian government. I believe the president should take all necessary and appropriate steps to secure his release, even going as far as ceasing any and all negotiations with Iran until our citizens are released. If the Iranian government desires to engage in constructive interaction with the world, it should release Pastor Saeed.

In the meantime, I will continue to pray for the release of Pastor Saeed and the other Americans being held prisoner in Iran.

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