Lawmakers propose ‘National Hostage’ day after Griner release

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in both chambers introduced legislation that would establish an annual “National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day,” a move that comes days after Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner.

The bill, introduced by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) as well as Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.) and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), would create the commemoration on March 9 and establish an official flag to honor hostages in custody overseas.

...

Hill and Stevens, who introduced the House version of the bill, serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad.

“I am committed to doing everything I can to bring Americans home – this legislation will highlight the horrible situation their families face every day,” Hill said.

Whelan is also one of Stevens’s constituents.

“For nearly four years, he has been held on false charges, working day in and day out in a prison camp, missing holidays with his family and precious time with his aging parents who miss him dearly,” Stevens said of Whelan. “The Whelan family, like so many families of hostages detained abroad, have shown unbelievable strength, courage, and grace in what can only be described as a nightmare situation.”