Niagara Leader

Washington, DC — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) announced her resolution, H. Res. 965, calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen detained by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, passed the House of Representatives today.

The resolution, which has 72 cosponsors, was approved unanimously. Tenney has been advocating for Corbett’s well-being and release since learning of his detention. Corbett, a father and husband from Western New York, has been held without charge in Afghanistan since August 10, 2022. He is reportedly confined in a basement cell without regular access to basic amenities or medical care. The U.S. Department of State officially designated him as a wrongful detainee on October 10, 2023.

"NY-24 resident Ryan Corbett has been held without charge by the Taliban for over 600 days in a 9-by-9 foot cell in horrendous conditions," said Congresswoman Tenney. "Since hearing of his case, I have worked closely with his family... I once again call on President Biden to bring Ryan home."

Anna Corbett, wife of Ryan Corbett, expressed gratitude for the resolution's passage: "I am beyond grateful that this Resolution passed so overwhelmingly today... Now it’s up to President Biden to take this momentum and turn it into action."

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10) also voiced support: "I am proud to support this bipartisan resolution... A single day of unlawful detention is too long."

Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25) added: "Ryan Corbett has been wrongfully detained by the Taliban for nearly two years... This resolution signifies our unyielding commitment to working across the aisle to bring Ryan home where he belongs."

Tenney delivered remarks on the House floor prior to the bill’s passage.