October 17, 2025
Mr. Kean (for himself and Mr. Moskowitz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To amend title 36, United States Code, to require the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag to be displayed on key historical dates, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Remembering American Hostages Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Hostage and wrongful detainee flag
Section 904(b) of title 36, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (2)—
(A)
by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E);
(B)
by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
(D)
Key dates in hostage and wrongful detention history, including—
(i)
November 4 and January 20, key dates of the Iranian hostage crisis;
(ii)
August 19, the date of the death of James Foley.''; and
(iii)
October 7, the date of Hamas’ unprovoked attack where more than 240 were taken hostage, including 12 Americans; and; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(F)
With respect to the locations described in subparagraphs (D) through (G) of paragraph (3), any day on which the United States Flag is displayed.; and
(2)
in paragraph (3)—
(A)
in subparagraph (C)—
(i)
in clause (i) by striking and
at the end;
(ii)
in clause (ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following:
(iii)
the Attorney General;
(iv)
the Secretary of Education;
(v)
the Secretary of Transportation; and
(vi)
the Secretary of Commerce.; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following:
(D)
The buildings containing any office of the Department of State offices in the United States.
(E)
Each embassy and consulate of the United States.
(F)
The buildings containing any office of the Department of Justice in the United States, unless otherwise specified by the Attorney General.
(G)
Each place in the United States at which an individual can initiate, renew, or otherwise obtain a passport of the United States, in a location visible to such individuals.
Sec. 3. Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should strongly encourage local and State governments and airports across the United States, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, to fly the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag on days as specified in section 904 of title 36, United States Code, including distributing an Executive order for direction to raise and fly such flag on specified days in honor of a hostage returning to the United States, or whenever a hostage is recognized as passing away in captivity.