RELEASE: Gottheimer, Bell Lead Bipartisan Letter Calling On Trump Administration To Coordinate Evacuation Plans For Americans In Israel
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Congressman Wesley Bell (MO-1) led 45 Members of Congress in a bipartisan letter to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging them to tell Congress what concrete steps they are taking to evacuate American citizens who wish to evacuate Israel.
Since Friday, June 13, 2025, Iran has launched more than 350 ballistic missiles at Israel. While the majority of these missiles have been intercepted, those that have breached defenses as of Monday, June 16, 2025, have caused more than 300 injuries and at least 24 fatalities in Israel.
“Americans in Israel are depending on our government for guidance and a pathway to safety. We understand the obstacles posed by the current security situation and the closure of Israel’s airspace. Therefore, all available options, including evacuations by land routes and sea, must be explored. At a minimum, American citizens in Israel deserve updates on the efforts underway to ensure their safe departure. Unfortunately, representatives at the Department of State have been unable to provide sufficient answers beyond directing our constituents to register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP),” the Members wrote in a letter to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“We trust that you will honor your responsibility to protect the American people, no matter where they are in the world. Please provide a response no later than June 18, 2025, to ensure we can communicate an effective plan for the departure to our constituents,” the Members continued.
The full list of Members who signed the letter includes: Reps. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Wesley Bell (MO-1), Jake Auchincloss (MA-4), Don Bacon (NE-2), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Steve Cohen (TN-9), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Cleo Fields (LA-6), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Laura Gillen (NY-4), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Val Hoyle (OR-4), Jonathan Jackson (IL-1), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Greg Landsman (OH-1), George Latimer (NY-16), Susie Lee (NV-3), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Seth Moulton (MA-6), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Donald Norcross (NJ-1), Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Brittany Pettersen (CO-7), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Darren Soto (FL-9), Greg Stanton (AZ-4), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Thomas Suozzi (NY-3), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Dina Titus (NV-1), Jill Tokuda (HI-2), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-5), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Maggie Goodlander (NH-2).
Full text of the letter sent to President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio can be found here and below:
Dear President Trump and Secretary Rubio:
We are writing with deep urgency on behalf of our constituents currently located in Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Iran has launched more than 350 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, June 13, 2025. While the majority of these missiles have been intercepted before impact, those that have breached defenses have tragically resulted in at least 24 fatalities in Israel and more than 300 injuries as of Monday, June 16, 2025. Israel’s shelter-in-place alerts have been effective in significantly reducing potential casualties by helping civilians reach protected areas in time. Nonetheless, ongoing waves of missiles, including those targeting major cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa, continue to pose a serious threat, including to American citizens. With the U.S. Embassy closed, many Americans are facing an uncertain future with no clear options for departure.
We urge you to act quickly. Americans in Israel are depending on our government for guidance and a pathway to safety. We understand the obstacles posed by the current security situation and the closure of Israel’s airspace. Therefore, all available options including evacuations by land routes and sea must be explored. At a minimum, American citizens in Israel deserve updates on the efforts underway to ensure their safe departure. Unfortunately, representatives at the Department of State have been unable to provide sufficient answers beyond directing our constituents to register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
We trust that you will honor your responsibility to protect the American people, no matter where they are in the world. Please provide a response no later than June 18, 2025, to ensure we can communicate an effective plan for the departure to our constituents.
Sincerely,
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
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