Ranking Member Subramanyam Demands Immediate Action to Assist American Citizens Stranded in Middle East

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, demanded immediate action from the State Department to assist American citizens who have been stranded in the Middle East. Thousands of American citizens have been told to catch commercial flights and leave the region immediately days after the United States started bombing Iran. Multiple American embassies, military bases, and other locations housing Americans have been hit by retaliatory strikes by Iran.

The Ranking Member said, "It is the duty and responsibility of the United States government to ensure the safety of Americans both at home and around the globe. But it's clear this administration did not adequately warn Americans in the region and did not prepare enough to keep them safe. I am demanding this administration spare no expense in protecting Americans in the Middle East. If we have billions to spend on bombs and bullets, we have the money to evacuate Americans in the region and get them home safely."

The Ranking Member ends his letter to Secretary Marco Rubio asking several questions about specific evacuation plans and assets the State Department needs to carry out necessary evacuations.

In case you missed it, Rep. Subramanyam dragged the Trump administrationfor their lack of a plan on the House floor.

Ranking Member Subramanyam's full letter to Secretary Rubio can be found hereand below.

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Dear Secretary Rubio,

I write to you with extreme concern over the safety of Americans in the Middle East following the United States engaging in war with Iran. In the days after the initial February 28, 2026 strikes, there have been attacks and instances of violence at multiple U.S. Embassies and consulates, including in Riyadh, Kuwait, Dubai, and Pakistan. As a result, on Monday, March 2, 2026, Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar posted on social media, stating the State Department "urges Americans to DEPART NOW from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks." The list includes Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

There are reportedly 1 million Americans in the region. These Americans were given no advance notice, and urged to depart using "commercial transportation," even though airlines have cancelled and diverted flights out of the region. Dubai International and Dubai World Central airports, some of the region's hubs for international travel, suspended flight operations on February 28, 2026. Delta, United, and American Airlines alerted travelers about impacts. According to data from March 1, 2026, approximately 3,000 flights had already been cancelled.

While the United States military had time to move a second carrier group into position, no strategic plan was put in place to evacuate and support the thousands of Americans in the region.

These Americans are now in harm's way. Moreover, a number of countries in the region have no confirmed U.S. Ambassador and clear leadership that could assist Americans abroad. Additionally, in the days leading up to the military operation, FBI Director Kash Patel fired a dozen agents and staff members from a counterintelligence unit "tasked with monitoring threats from Iran."

It is the duty and responsibility of the United States government to ensure the safety of Americans both at home and around the globe. However, based on the evidence thus far, I am increasingly concerned that the United States government's unpreparedness is putting Americans at an elevated risk of harm.

As this war continues, I urge the Department to immediately put a plan in place to safely evacuate Americans in the region who are in harm's way. A plan that goes beyond "using available commercial transportation." I also respectfully request answers to the following questions:

1. The U.K. Foreign Office is drafting plans to evacuate British citizens in the Middle East. Are there any plans already underway to evacuate Americans?
   1. Are there any plans to work with our allies in Europe and around the world to jointly evacuate U.S. citizens?
2. Were there any evaluation plans put in place before the strikes to support Americans in the region?
3. What assets are needed to carry out necessary evacuations?