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Westerman: Vote for H.Res. 233 “a vote for freedom”

June 15, 2015

Legislation calls for end to illegal detention of Americans in Iran

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Westerman issued the following statement upon passage of H.Res. 233, which calls for the immediate release of three Americans currently being detained by the Islamic Republic of Iran:

"My vote today was a vote to bring Americans home from illegal detention in Iran. It was a vote for democracy. It was a vote for freedom. The three Americans being held by the Iranian regime have been held against their will on trumped up charges, and it is time for them to come home. It is my hope that this vote brings this situation closer to an acceptable resolution."

The three Americans currently being detained by the Islamic Republic of Iran include Saeed Abedini of Boise, Idaho; Amir Hekmati of Flint, Michigan; and Jason Rezaian of Marin, California. Abedini is a pastor, Hekmati a Marine veteran, and Rezaian is The Washington Post's Tehran bureau reporter.

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