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98–603PDF 2016

CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN TO FULFILL THEIR

PROMISES OF ASSISTANCE IN THIS CASE OF

ROBERT LEVINSON, THE LONGEST HELD UNITED STATES

CIVILIAN IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON 

THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

ON

H. Res. 148

FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Serial No. 114–142

Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/ or

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/

(II)

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California, Chairman 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas 

TED POE, Texas 

MATT SALMON, Arizona 

DARRELL E. ISSA, California 

TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania 

JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina 

MO BROOKS, Alabama 

PAUL COOK, California 

RANDY K. WEBER SR., Texas 

SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania 

RON DESANTIS, Florida 

MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina 

TED S. YOHO, Florida 

CURT CLAWSON, Florida 

SCOTT DESJARLAIS, Tennessee 

REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin 

DAVID A. TROTT, Michigan 

LEE M. ZELDIN, New York 

DANIEL DONOVAN, New York 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey 

GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia 

THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida 

BRIAN HIGGINS, New York 

KAREN BASS, California 

WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts 

DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island 

ALAN GRAYSON, Florida 

AMI BERA, California 

ALAN S. LOWENTHAL, California 

GRACE MENG, New York 

LOIS FRANKEL, Florida 

TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii 

JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas 

ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois 

BRENDAN F. BOYLE, Pennsylvania

AMY PORTER, Chief of Staff THOMAS SHEEHY, Staff Director

JASON STEINBAUM, Democratic Staff Director 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida, Chairman 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

DARRELL E. ISSA, California 

RANDY K. WEBER SR., Texas 

RON DESANTIS, Florida 

MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina 

TED S. YOHO, Florida 

CURT CLAWSON, Florida 

DAVID A. TROTT, Michigan 

LEE M. ZELDIN, New York 

THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida 

GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia 

BRIAN HIGGINS, New York 

DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island 

ALAN GRAYSON, Florida 

GRACE MENG, New York 

LOIS FRANKEL, Florida 

BRENDAN F. BOYLE, Pennsylvania 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP ON 

H. Res. 148, Calling on the government of Iran to fulfill their promises 

of assistance in this case of Robert Levinson, the longest held United 

States civilian in our Nation’s history ................................................................ 2

An amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 148 offered by 

the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Representative in Congress from 

the State of Florida, and chairman, Subcommittee on the Middle East 

and North Africa, and the Honorable Theodore E. Deutch, a Representative in Congress from the State of Florida ..................................................... 6

APPENDIX 

Markup notice .......................................................................................................... 16

Markup minutes ...................................................................................................... 17

Markup summary .................................................................................................... 18

(1)

CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN TO FULFILL 

THEIR PROMISES OF ASSISTANCE IN THIS CASE OF 

ROBERT LEVINSON, THE LONGEST HELD UNITED 

STATES CIVILIAN IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2015

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA,

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

Washington, DC. 

The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 1:45 p.m., in room 

2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen 

(chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. The subcommittee will come to order. 

We meet today pursuant to notice to mark up the ranking member’s bipartisan resolution aimed at securing the return of Robert 

Levinson, the longest-held United States hostage in our Nation’s 

history. 

And so as your offices were previously notified, it is the intent 

of the Chair to consider the following items en bloc which members 

have before them—House Resolution 148, calling on the Government of Iran to fulfill its repeated promises of assistance in the 

case of Robert Levinson, and Ros-Lehtinen-Deutch Amendment 31 

in the nature of a substitute to House Resolution 435. 

[The information referred to follows:]

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Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Without objection, these items are considered 

as read and will be considered en bloc. After I make some opening 

remarks and the ranking member speaks, we will be glad to recognize any other members seeking recognition, and without objection 

all members may have 5 days to submit statements for the record 

on today’s business. 

The Chair recognizes herself. First, I would like to welcome 

Christine, Robert Levinson’s wife, and their son, Dan, in the audience as well. 

I wish I could say that it is a pleasure to see you today but, unfortunately, seeing you here at this markup means that it is another two birthdays and another two anniversaries that you have 

missed with Bob for 3,261 days your family has had to cope with 

not knowing where he is or even how he is. 

But just know that we will not give up the fight to bring Bob 

home to you and all of his loved ones and friends and we will continue to demand that Iran honor its commitment and we will continue to press the administration to help bring Bob home. 

We will continue to raise this issue ourselves, which is why I am 

pleased to join the leader in this cause, Ted Deutch, in introducing 

this resolution here before us today yet again. 

As South Florida residents, you couldn’t have asked for a better 

and more determined representative for your cause than Ted 

Deutch. 

I have seen how important Bob is to Ted. His number-one goal 

is reuniting him with you, the members of his family. I can only 

say that we all support Ted in his efforts. 

We will continue to work with Mr. Deutch in his fight for your 

family, and because it is an issue that is so dear to Ted I want to 

yield the balance of my time to give Ted the opportunity to speak 

as long as he wants. 

Mr. DEUTCH. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. 

I want to—I would like to begin by thanking for your vigorous 

commitment to bringing awareness to Bob Levinson’s case and always pushing for Bob’s return. 

I want to thank the many members of the subcommittee who 

have co-sponsored this resolution. I would also like to welcome 

Christine and Dan to our markup today. 

Last month, we received word that our Government negotiated 

for the release of four Americans in prison in Iran. It was welcome 

news. 

These are Americans who were wrongfully held and the move 

brought comfort to the families, corrected an injustice and made 


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very clear that the United States does not forget about its own people. 

Over the years, I have worked closely with Congressman Kildee, 

Congressman Huffman and Congressman Labrador to continue to 

raise Bob’s case as well as those of Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini 

and Jason Rezaian. 

And I am so pleased that each of their constituents has returned 

home to the United States to be with their family and their friends. 

Their nightmares are over. Unfortunately, this is not the case for 

the Levinsons. For Bob, now the longest-held civilian hostage in 

our history, and for his family, this nightmare continues. 

March 9th will mark 9 years since Bob disappeared on Iran’s 

Kish Island. That’s 9 years of birthdays with his seven children, 

anniversaries with his wife, Christine, weddings, the births of three 

of his four grandchildren and many other important milestones 

that should have been—should have been joyous occasions for the 

Levinsons that should have been celebrated together as a family 

and should have created happy memories that one carries with 

them for their entire life. 

Today, it is an honor to have Bob’s wife, Christine, and his eldest 

son, Dan, here. This is a family who for 9 years has never given 

up and has worked tirelessly to bring their husband and father 

home. 

Your family deserves to feel the same elation and relief as the 

families of those other Americans who were released and rest assured we will not give up until Bob is returned. 

Bob dedicated his life to serving this country, spending 28 years 

with the FBI and earlier with the DEA. Bob loves this country 

dearly and now this country must come through for Bob. 

There have been moments of optimism over the years. The 

Levinson family has received proof of life in the form of pictures 

and video. 

We know that throughout the course of nuclear negotiations with 

Iran, Secretary Kerry, Under Secretary Sherman and others raised 

Bob’s case at every single meeting. 

But that is not enough. Whatever information Iran has about 

Bob needs to be provided now so that Bob can be brought home. 

The resolution before us today calls on Iran to follow through on 

its repeated promises of assisting the United States in locating 

Bob. 

I am proud to introduce this resolution with my colleague and 

good friend, Chairman Ros-Lehtinen, as well as our fellow Floridians, Congressman Diaz Balart and Congressman Wasserman 

Shultz. 

The resolution recognizes that despite our many disagreements 

with Iran, our Government and those of our partners and allies 

must continue to press Iran for information about Bob at every opportunity. 

Both President Obama and Secretary Kerry have repeatedly expressed their commitment to securing Bob’s release. After the release of the other Americans, President Obama stated on national 

television that, and I quote,

‘‘Iran has agreed to deepen our coordination as we work to locate Robert Levinson, missing from Iran for more than 8 years. 

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Even as we rejoice in the safe return for others we will never 

forget about Bob. Each and every day and especially today, our 

hearts are with the Levinson family. We will not rest until 

their family is whole again.’’

Today, Iran seeks to be part of the international community. But 

let us make no mistake, a country that sponsors terrorism, that 

threatens to wipe other countries off the map and that holds innocent Americans hostage will not be welcomed into the community 

of responsible nations. 

For anyone who is watching this markup online, for anyone in 

the audience, I encourage you to tweet about Bob Levinson, using 

the hashtag #whataboutbob. 

We have got to keep talking about this case. We have got to raise 

the level of awareness and we must encourage our Government and 

the governments of our allies and anyone who can be helpful to 

continue to work tirelessly to find Bob and to bring him home. 

Christine and Dan, please know that the United States Congress 

stands with you. We will not forget about Bob. And I thank my colleagues for the support of this very important resolution today, and 

I yield back. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you so much, Mr. Deutch. 

As always, when you speak about this case you do it in such an 

eloquent manner. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts 

with us. 

Mr. Chabot is recognized. 

Mr. CHABOT. Thank you, Madam Chair. 

I want to commend you for bringing this important timely legislation before the subcommittee today and I admire your dedication 

and Mr. Deutch’s dedication in particular and other members of 

this committee who have displayed basically being relentless about 

bringing to light what happened and where Robert Levinson is and 

to bring him home to his family who, as you have mentioned, is 

here today. 

And as has been mentioned, Mr. Levinson is now the longestheld U.S. civilian in American history and Iranian officials must 

live up to their commitments to work through the case and release 

the results of the investigation into Mr. Levinson’s disappearance 

to the United States. 

While I recognize that U.S. officials have repeatedly called for 

the safe return of Mr. Levinson and requested Iranian assistance 

to help a fellow American citizen, the administration and our allies 

must do more. 

So I join with both Chair Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Deutch in urging 

the President and our allies to continue pressing Iran on the case 

of Robert Levinson at every opportunity, despite our many unresolved differences. 

I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and I yield back 

my time. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you, Mr. Chabot. 

Mr. Connolly is recognized. 

Mr. CONNOLLY. Thank you, Madam Chairman. 

Let me, first of all, express my deep concern to the Levinson family who are here today and to thank my colleague, Mr. Deutch esVerDate 0ct 09 2002 10:17 Mar 23, 2016 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\_MENA\021116M\98603 SHIRL
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pecially, and you, Madam Chairman, for keeping this issue at the 

forefront of our relationship, evolving as it is, with Iran. 

It is never okay for a U.S. citizen to be detained without charge, 

without explanation. Mr. Levinson is the longest-held American civilian in our Nation’s history. 

Accountability is important. So if Iran wants to take its place in 

the family of nations, if it wants to end its own self-inflicted isolation, it must account for Bob Levinson. 

Thank you both for your leadership. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you, Mr. Connolly. 

Mr. Zeldin. 

Mr. ZELDIN. I thank the chairwoman and ranking member for 

your leadership to try to not only get more information on Mr. 

Levinson but to hopefully eventually be able to bring him home. 

I had the pleasure of speaking with the family of Mr. Levinson 

before the start of today’s markup and it is clear that they are as 

determined as ever to get answers to questions left long overdue. 

Just last week, Congressman Mike Pompeo, Frank LoBiondo and 

I went to the Iranian interests section here in Washington, DC, to 

file visa applications. 

We sent a letter to the Ayatollah. Part of that request is to get 

more information on Mr. Levinson’s whereabouts. Hopefully, we’ll 

have a positive response and I just want to be part of working with 

the chairwoman and the ranking member to hopefully bring Mr. 

Levinson home. 

I yield back. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you, Mr. Zeldin. 

Mr. Meadows. 

Mr. MEADOWS. Thank you, Madam Chairman. 

I want to not only voice my support but certainly redouble our 

efforts to continue to keep this particular issue that you and our 

good friend, Mr. Deutch, continues to raise on a regular basis. 

Fundamentally, that if we allow the American people to believe 

that we are going to tolerate a regime that not only has unbelievable humanitarian atrocities that continue to get leveled on an almost daily basis but that we are going to tolerate it as an American people, it sends the wrong message. 

And so I just want to thank you for your leadership, thank Mr. 

Deutch for his continued involvement on behalf of his constituency 

and we will all of us join together in a bipartisan way to support 

this effort. 

Yield back. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you, sir. 

Does any other member seek recognition on this measure? 

Hearing no further requests for recognition, the question occurs 

on adopting the items under consideration en bloc. 

All those in favor say aye. 

[Chorus of ayes.] 

All opposed say no. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have 

it and the en bloc items are approved. 

Without objection, House Resolution 148 as amended will be reported to the full committee in the form of a single amendment in 

the nature of a substitute and staff is directed to make any technical and conforming changes. 

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I want to thank all of the members and staff for their assistance 

and cooperation that went in today’s important markup and we 

will move on to regular order of our subcommittee. 

And I want to—we want to once again thank the Levinson family 

for appearing before us. Thank you very much. 

[Whereupon, at 2:09 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.] 

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