U.S. pastor's release after almost 20 years raises hopes for other Americans held in China

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

71% : "I was very excited and happy and hopeful for him and his family," Wells Sr. said.
59% : Wells Sr. said he hoped to keep his son positive with the news of Lin's release and the renewed congressional attention, and "give him at least some more inspiration to say, 'I'm next.'"
58% : Wells Sr. said he and his wife, Cynthia, speak with their son once or twice a month, in calls limited to 10 minutes.
57% : We all do," Wells Sr. said.
53% : The hearing "gave us the opportunity to sit with other family members who are suffering the same trauma and drama that we are suffering, so we were able to connect," Wells Sr. told NBC News in an interview.
51% : Wells Sr. said the bipartisan panel seemed to be interested and engaged, asking questions about a 2018 change to Chinese law that allows for the transfer of certain foreign prisoners on medical, humanitarian or compassionate grounds to serve out their sentences in their home countries, where they may be able to petition for early release.
42% : In his testimony before the commission, Wells Sr. said that his son was suffering from "chronic pain, seizures, malnutrition, internal issues, dental pain, severe depression and thoughts of self-harm.""He feels alone.

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