Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, it has been 186 days since the barbaric Hamas attack on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were brutally murdered and more than 250 taken hostage. It has been 186 days, and still 133 people, including 8 Americans, are being held hostage in Gaza. Many of the 133 are known to be dead, including 3 of the Americans. Some were murdered on October 7, and their bodies taken into Gaza. Some, known to be alive in captivity, have been murdered by their captors, like Elad Katzir, whose body was recovered just last week in Khan Yunis. It has been 186 days, more than 6 months, and there is no indication of their medical status, no visits from the Red Cross, no word of when they might come home. For the families, 186 unbearable days of wondering if their loved one is dead or alive, is being tortured, or is a victim of sexual violence. Mr. Speaker, 186 days is unconscionable. For many weeks, negotiations facilitated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have sought to achieve a cease-fire and bring hostages home. Israel has accepted the terms. Hamas has, to date, rejected them. The world waits for Hamas' response. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted earlier today: ``It is astounding to me that the world is almost deafeningly silent when it comes to Hamas.'' Mr. Speaker, I rise today to once again bring urgent and necessary attention to the hostages still held in Gaza.…”