WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ)hosted a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to urge for the release of Princeton University student Elizabeth Tsurkov, two years after she was abducted by the Islamic terrorist group, Kata’ib Hizballah (KH), while she was conducting doctoral research in Baghdad. On the 734^th day of Elizabeth being held hostage; Senator Kim and Emma Tsurkov, Elizabeth’s sister pressed the critical need for further engagement by the Iraqi government to return Elizabeth home safely.

“I wanted to make sure I stood alongside this family to highlight to the American people and to the people in Iraq and around the world why it is we need to pay attention to what happened to Elizabeth Tsurkov,” Senator Kim stated during today’s press conference. “What I also know by having worked on issues related to Iraq for so long is that the Iraqi government can and should be doing more right now to be able to get Elizabeth freed…That is something that our government and our administration needs to hold up as an important priority in our bilateral engagements with the government of Iraq, that they have to show that they are being responsive to the needs of our country.” 

“Elizabeth is not just a headline, or a diplomatic challenge, she is our sister,” Emma Tsurkov shared. “To the Iraqi government and to Prime Minister Sudani, I must speak plainly, your failure to secure my sister’s release is unacceptable. Your promises of action have yielded nothing…You have a fundamental responsibility to protect those within your borders, including academics conducting legitimate research.” 

Senator Kim also joined with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)to send a letter today to the Trump administration urging them to continue pursuing negotiations for Elizabeth’s release. 

The Senators wrote: “We will continue to track Elizabeth’s case closely, and strongly encourage your Administration to continue to press the Iraqi government at all levels to resolve Elizabeth’s case and ensure that she is safely returned to her family and friends.” Read the full letter to President Trump and senior officials here. 

Senator Kim also joined Senators Booker (D-NJ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) in releasing a joint statement to recognize the two-year anniversary of Elizabeth’s kidnapping. 

Senator Kim is a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Special Committee on Aging. Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Kim represented New Jersey’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House and was a career public servant working in national security and diplomacy at the White House, State Department, and Pentagon. Learn more about Senator Kim’s service on behalf of New Jersey here.

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