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S. 509 118th Congress Senate

Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act of 2023

Official title: A bill to provide resources for United States nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 16, 2023 See on congress.gov
International Affairs Congressional oversightDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadFamily services
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Mental healthTransportation costs
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 9, 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 27.
Mar 9, 2023
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez without amendment. Without written report.
Mar 8, 2023
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Feb 16, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Feb 16, 2023
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action March 9, 2023

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 27.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act of 2023

This bill authorizes travel assistance and mental health support to U.S. nationals wrongfully or unlawfully detained abroad and to certain family members of such individuals.

For wrongfully or unlawfully detained U.S. nationals, the bill authorizes the Department of State to provide compensation and assistance if needed for return travel to the United States after their release. The bill also authorizes mental health support for such individuals and certain family members of such individuals.

For certain family members or representatives of such detained individuals, the State Department must provide financial assistance to cover travel and lodging expenses for meeting with the U.S. government if (1) such financial assistance is requested, and (2) the family members or representatives live more than 50 miles from Washington, DC. 

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 2670 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
  • S 2226 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
  • HR 6669 Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 1 Republican 3
R
Ernst, Joni
Iowa · Oct 25, 2023
 R
Hagerty, Bill
Tennessee · Feb 16, 2023
 R
Risch, James E.
Idaho · Feb 16, 2023
 D
Shaheen, Jeanne
New Hampshire · Feb 16, 2023
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 509: Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act of 2023. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-509/
MLA
"S. 509: Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act of 2023." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-509/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 509, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-509/.
Markdown link
[S. 509: Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act of 2023](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-509/)
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