Joni Ernst: “Thank you, Senator Cardin. Thank you for your leadership. Senator Ted Budd represents the great State of North Carolina.…”

“Thank you, Senator Cardin. Thank you for your leadership. Senator Ted Budd represents the great State of North Carolina. He is unable to join us, but he did want to make sure we read his constituent's bio. Eight of these remaining hostages are Americans. Our final American hostage is a native of the State of North Carolina, and his name is Keith Siegel. I have joined North Carolina Senator Ted Budd in meetings with the families of hostages, as well as former hostages, like Keith's wife, Aviva. Keith and Aviva have four children, alongside five grandchildren. We have heard their stories, and I can attest that Senator Budd and I look at their photos every single day. We have heard the stories, and these families must absolutely live with horrible pain, and they have an uncertainty that is absolutely unacceptable. The fact that we stand here after 291 days and the fate of these eight innocent souls is not the primary topic of conversation on our national media and from the current administration is shameful. Now is the time for all nations to rally together and use all available pressure to force Hamas terrorists to release all of our hostages. I do want to thank my colleagues--Senator Rosen, Senator Cardin, and Senator Grassley--for coming to the floor and joining in this colloquy to ensure that the American people don't forget that we have eight Americans that are still being held. Let's bring them home now. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER.…”