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President Biden's weak leadership has led to Americans being held hostage by Iranian-backed terrorists for 100 days.
October 7th was a physical attack on Israel, but it should also be considered an attack on America. This assault was one of the largest losses of American life due to terrorism since 9/11, with a total of approximately 32 unforgettable deaths. And 100 days later, Hamas still holds six Americans captive.
President Biden isn't going to stand up, so we're going to stand up.
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Earlier this month, we led a bipartisan, bicameral delegation to four countries in the Middle East dedicated to recovering American hostages from Iran-backed Hamas. While in Israel, we visited Kibbutz Nir Oz and witnessed firsthand the effects of Hamas atrocities.
When I was guided through the wreckage by a gentleman who once called this place his home and whose son was taken hostage, we found ourselves surrounded by broken glass, overturned furniture, and fire. I was shocked by how eerily quiet it felt standing in this beautiful oasis. Darkened walls, children's toys and stuffed animals scattered carelessly.
Our fellow Americans are being used as human shields without continued access to food, water, medical care, or sleep. Almost 100 days later, no one in the family even knows if their loved one is still alive.
In this peace-loving community, Hamas has burned down homes, terrorized children, killed innocent people, put bullets into bedrooms, and violated the very foundations of peace that the kibbutz stands for.
Armed with the heartbreaking stories of each hostage family, the delegation will travel to Egypt, Israel, Qatar and Bahrain, meeting with government officials and hostage negotiators to urge them to do everything in their power to bring the hostages home. I asked for it. In our meetings with senior leaders and hostage negotiators from these countries, we delivered a powerful message with the support of our entire bipartisan, bicameral delegation.
And we will continue to encourage our partners in the region to put pressure on Hamas to return to the negotiating table and release its people immediately. This message must be sent loud and clear to Hamas, even to its brutal Iranian supporters.
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We spent time with hostage families struggling to understand the fate of their loved ones, and we listened to their cries for answers. We cannot begin to understand the full extent of their pain, but it is clear that they desperately want action from President Biden and his team.
We urgently urge this administration to use its full diplomatic influence and energy to protect the lives of the remaining hostages. The battle waged by Hamas, backed by Iran, is a battle of good versus evil.
As we solemnly mark the 100th day of our captivity, the current administration's inaction is unacceptable. There is no higher priority than getting American hostages home safely and quickly. Every second counts.
Our fellow Americans are being used as human shields without continued access to food, water, medical care, or sleep. Almost 100 days later, no one in the family even knows if their loved one is still alive.
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We urgently urge this administration to use its full diplomatic influence and energy to protect the lives of the remaining hostages. The battle waged by Hamas, backed by Iran, is a battle of good versus evil.
As long as Americans remain in thrall to this barbaric thug, the latter will be the victor. Allowing Americans to suffer under the terrorist's yoke is a victory for evil around the world and a boon for Iran's proxies.
Every day a hostage is not home is a failure. A hundred days is too long.
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We have continued to hold our partners to the fire to reunite families. The Biden administration needs to do more and follow our lead by devoting maximum diplomatic influence and energy to this issue. American lives remain at great risk.
As these hostage families seek America's power to reunite them with their loved ones, the only response is to bring Americans home now.
Republican Ted Budd represents North Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
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