Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s Flights for Freedom Act Passes Committee with Bipartisan Support

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, recently introduced the Flights for Freedom Act in Congress to prevent the United States government from charging Americans stranded in Afghanistan for lifesaving flights out of the Taliban-controlled country. Tenney's bill passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously. 

On August 14, 2021, the Department of State published a notice that it was charging $2,000 for repatriation flights out of Afghanistan. After coming under public fire, the agency reversed this guidance and announced it would not seek reimbursement from Americans for these flights. Tenney introduced the Flights for Freedom Act to ensure that the State Department sticks to this policy and does not ever, now or in the future, charge for lifesaving flights home. Reps. Brian Mast (FL-18) and Tom Tiffany (WI-07) joined Tenney as original cosponsors of this legislation. Reps. Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and Darrell Issa (CA-50) are also cosponsors.   

“It was wrong for the Biden Administration to even consider charging American citizens for their lifesaving flights out of Afghanistan. No American should be on the hook for paying thousands of dollars because of President Biden’s calamitous and reckless retreat," said Rep. Tenney. "My Flights for Freedom Act ensures the State Department can never charge Americans a penny for their lifesaving flights home. I urge Speaker Pelosi to bring this bill to the House floor for a vote so we can give Americans real peace of mind.”

“The Biden Administration is wholly to blame for the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan. This bill is a critical step to ensure those we evacuated are not left with the bill for this administration’s mistakes,” said Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. McCaul.

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