Ongoing Hostage Crisis

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, on the morning of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah on October 7, 2023, as Representative Wasserman Schultz said, we happened to be in the Middle East at that time, when Hamas terrorists launched unimaginable and barbaric attacks on Israeli citizens by air, land, and sea. These attacks resulted in the death of over 1,300 Israeli citizens, including 30 Americans, and over 250 individuals were taken hostage.

Following these attacks, I introduced House Resolution 777 to condemn these horrendous attacks and demanded the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza. However, 4 months later, at least 130 hostages are still being held by Hamas, including American citizens.

Earlier this year, I was proud to join Senator Joni Ernst on a bipartisan and bicameral congressional delegation to Egypt, Israel, Qatar, and Bahrain to advocate for the American and Israeli citizens still held captive by Hamas. While in the region, we heard from family members, released hostages, and leaders in the region about the escalation of crimes committed by Hamas against women.

It was heartbreaking to meet with these members of the kibbutz Nir Oz community and family members of Judith Weinstein and Gad Haggai, American citizens who were killed by Hamas whose bodies still remain in Gaza. Additionally, we heard the frustrations and living nightmares of the families of Americans still held hostage: Edan Alexander, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Itay Chen, Keith Siegel, Omer Neutra, and Sagui Dekel-Chen, and to hear of two children, one who had recently turned 1 and the other 4 years old, who are still being held in captivity.

While I am grateful for the 100 hostages who have been released so far, it is essential that the Biden administration do everything in their power to demand Hamas release the rest of the hostages. While Hamas released women, children, and grandparents, Israel was required to release three times as many not innocent civilians, convicted terrorists. Examples include charges of opening fire on Jewish civilians, stabbings, and arson.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Florida, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, for hosting this important Special Order, and I will continue calling for the safe return of all hostages held by Hamas and to deter the concerning rise of anti-Semitism in the United States.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her solidarity. I thank the Members, Jewish and non-Jewish, Democratic and Republican, for joining us tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I close by reminding the American public, the hostages that they heard about this evening have been held captive in Hamas' captivity for over 115 days. Hamas must end this crisis today by releasing the hostages and allowing them to be reunited with their families.

I hope every American understands that Israel is fighting to rescue her people and to protect her citizens from a terrorist organization that is dedicated to destroying the State of Israel and carrying out the October 7 attack against Israel and the Jewish people over and over again.

The United States will not let Hamas succeed. The Jewish people will not let Hamas succeed. Any people with a shred of humanity would not let Hamas succeed.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I in this Chamber will continue to stand with Israel and fight for the release of those held captive, of those being brutally abused and sexually violated. We will continue to make sure we shine our white-hot spotlights on the plight of these hostages until they are safely home with their families and until Hamas is eradicated as a threat on Israel's doorstep or to anyone worldwide.

``Am Yisrael Chai.'' ``The people of Israel live.'' Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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