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A freshman Michigan congresswoman wants Congress to ask President Barack Obama to use “all of his available authorities” to evacuate U.S. citizens and nationals from Yemen “as soon as possible.”

The House Rules Committee late Wednesday approved an amendment by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, to the proposed 2016 defense budget. Her amendment next goes to the full House for consideration.

“My constituents are looking for a safe route to come home,” said Dingell, whose district includes a large Yemeni-American community.

“We should not advocate for any action that would put American troops or additional personnel in harm’s way. We are simply asking the administration to make every possible effort to safely evacuate U.S. citizens.

She noted that China, Ethiopia, India and Russia have taken steps to evacuate their citizens – “at least we should be coordinating with our allies that have capabilities,” Dingell told the committee. The State Department has said it has no plans to evacuate 55,000 Americans living in war-ravaged Yemen.

The U.S. pulled diplomats and security personnel out of Yemen earlier this year as Saudi Arabia ramped up an air campaign targeting Houthi rebels backed by Iran. The Houthis invaded Yemen’s capital last year and last month forced its president from the country.

Saudi Arabia initiated a five-day pause in fighting on Tuesday to allow humanitarian organizations to bring in aid. Since hostilities began a few months ago, Dingell’s office has heard daily from Yemeni Americans “most of them my constituents,” she told the committee.

“Some are stuck there themselves, others have family living there with no way to get out,” Dingell said. “It’s heartbreaking to hear their stories. With the increased hostilities, it’s unsafe for them. They get caught in the middle, forcing them to leave their homes.”

She noted a National Public Radio story about Rhonia Aladashi, 16, of Dearborn, who had traveled to Yemen to visit her father with her mom and sisters.

“She knew it was dangerous but wanted to visit her dad. She was in Sana’a when fighting broke out,” Dingell said. “They tried to escape to Saudi Arabia, but was denied entry because she didn’t have a man traveling with her, and had to reenter the war zone.”

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