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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping enter the hall during a signing ceremony on May 20, 2026, in Beijing, China. (Getty Images)
Hudson Institute will host Senator Tom Cotton for a discussion on The Global Hostage Act, which he recently introduced with Senator Ted Cruz. The bill would require the president to sanction any foreign government officials responsible for taking Americans hostage and deny U.S. visas to complicit officials and their families.
Evidenced by the release of pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey last year, the threat and use of sanctions continues to be a powerful tool in the pursuit of bringing home Americans held captive abroad. Senator Cotton said this bill “would punish those who hold Americans hostage by sanctioning their assets and blocking their travel to the United States.”
The discussion will focus on how this legislation would disincentivize the future hostage-taking of Americans abroad, while incentivizing the release of those currently detained.
NOTE: This event is open to the press. All members of the media should RSVP to press@hudson.org.
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