H.R. 1611 would authorize the President to impose sanctions on individuals who are responsible for holding U.S. nationals hostage, and it would codify the roles and responsibilities of federal agencies involved in freeing hostages. The bill also would require the Department of State to review the cases of U.S. nationals who have been detained overseas, determine whether those nationals are being illegally or improperly held, and report annually to the Congress on those determinations. Finally, the department would be required to develop guidance and disseminate information to government officials and to family members of hostages and detainees on the resources that are available to obtain information about, access to, or the release of those people.
