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Members press State Department over timing of travel guidance and evacuations during Middle East strikes
Summary
Committee members faulted the department for delayed "Depart now" guidance and asked why consular warnings and evacuation planning lagged hostilities; Under Secretary Jason Evans said step messaging began immediately and that the department has assisted tens of thousands of Americans.
Representative after representative pressed Under Secretary Jason Evans on the timing and effectiveness of the State Department's consular response after hostilities began in the Middle East.
"We were caught flat‑footed and Americans have paid the price," Ranking Member Representative Meeks said, criticizing what he described as late guidance and reductions to consular staff. Meeks asked why travel advisories were not raised to "Do not travel" while evacuations were underway.
Evans replied that the department issued step messages almost immediately and stood up a consular affairs task force quickly. He said the department had "assisted tens of thousands of American citizens," and that it conducted land operations and other measures when airspace was restricted. "We were able to staff it very quickly and begin reaching out to individuals in the region," he said.
Why it matters: Committee members said the March 2 "Depart now" notice came after many commercial flights had stopped, limiting options for Americans to leave. Members argued that earlier, clearer public guidance matters both for safety and for Americans' ability to cancel commercial commitments; the committee asked for documentation on the timing and content of step messaging and on how the department tracked stranded Americans.
Operational tallies and adjustments: Evans told the committee the consular task force has contacted large numbers of people and that the department assisted tens of thousands; later in the hearing he cited that over 8,700 individuals left on 64 flights the department provided and referenced 70,000 departures the department had facilitated more broadly. He told lawmakers the department performed inline reviews and adjusted staffing in real time.
Next steps: Members asked for written responses on when specific advisories and task forces were stood up and for data on commercial flight availability and the department's outreach logs. Evans said he would provide requested information to the committee.
