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As the new U.S. Congress convenes, the 98 hostages held by Hamas, including seven Americans, must become a top priority.
The failure of the 118th Congress to secure the release of American citizens held in Hamas dungeons in Gaza for more than a year will forever be a stain on its record. The 119th would do well to advocate for their release with action rather than just words.
Our newly elected officials should use the full power of the House and Senate to support President-elect Trump’s view that there will be a “heavy price to pay” if hostages are not released at his inauguration and to those who ignore Follow-up actions are taken by those requested by the president.
Seven hostages are still being held by Hamas terrorists, and their families plead for their release: "The situation is urgent"
From left to right, American hostages held in Gaza: Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Keith Siegel, Omer Neutra, Judi Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai and Itay Chen (Ruby's son). (Fox News)
While negotiations with Hamas are conducted primarily through the Oval Office, congressional bodies such as the Foreign Affairs, Finance, Appropriations, and Judiciary committees, as well as individual House leaders, must play a more critical role in making the case that there is no daylight between the upcoming negotiations. The administration and Congress discussed the issue of American hostages.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as the only committee with the authority to review and report on treaties submitted by the President to the Senate for consideration, will undoubtedly play a key role. The committee could directly summon the ambassadors of Qatar, Türkiye, Egypt and others involved in hostage negotiations to demand information on why U.S. citizens are still being held hostage. It could also directly link countries actively seeking a long-term strategic defense treaty with the United States, such as Saudi Arabia, to actively support the release of American hostages.
As for the Judiciary Committee, it plays a key role in overseeing the Justice Department and the agencies under its jurisdiction, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
Republican Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana speaks behind the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Forty-seven U.S. citizens were killed by Hamas in a brutal attack on October 7, 2023, and the justice system should prosecute those accused of supporting the murders of Americans abroad hosted by U.S. allies such as Turkey and Qatar.
Furthermore, the Committee should further expand the Anti-Terrorism Act to enable families of victims to sue commercial entities related to these crimes in civil courts. This would send a clear message: be wary of those who think they can support terrorist activities without being noticed. It should also hold the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) accountable for imposing prompt and severe sanctions on entities that support terrorist groups.
Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas moves closer amid fears of Gaza terror group rearming
Sagui Dekel-Chen's father, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, and Itay Chen's father, Ruby Chen, were 10 Surrounded by other family members of Americans who were taken hostage by Hamas in the Israeli terrorist attack on December 7, he spoke to reporters after the meeting. Meeting with President Biden at the White House on December 13, 2023. (Julia Nyhinson/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The Senate Appropriations Committee also serves a constitutionally mandated role, which requires "appropriations in accordance with law" as a condition for U.S. Treasury expenditures. In other words: follow the money. Countries seeking U.S. economic assistance should respect U.S. requests without reservation, especially on the issue of illegal detention of Americans. In September, for example, the committee approved $1.3 billion in aid to Egypt. Such aid should be conditional on Cairo destroying all tunnels leading from Egypt to Gaza, which are used to divert weapons used to kill American citizens and hold them hostage.
The new Congress had a moral and legal obligation to ensure the return of the seven hostages. What power does a global superpower have if it cannot even free its citizens from the clutches of embattled terrorist groups? It must demonstrate its commitment in the "House of the People" through all its political, financial and judicial means to help bring Americans and all other hostages home.
Ruby's son, IDF sergeant Italia Chen, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists while serving on the Gaza border on October 7. (Israel Defense Forces)
By taking a stronger stance against states and commercial entities that have demonstrated the ability to influence Hamas, the United States will demonstrate its commitment to its citizens and its unwillingness to tolerate terrorism and human rights abuses.
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As we and countless others watch and wait, hopeful for the return of our loved ones, the United States must take immediate and decisive action, with the active support of Congress. I have a dream that when I attend President Trump's inauguration next week, he will say that he secured the release of all American hostages, just as President Reagan did at his 1981 inauguration.