Ongoing Hostage Crisis

Floor Speech

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Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

I rise today, as I have before, to speak up for a brave American, Itay Chen. It has been 115 days since Hamas took Itay hostage while he was serving in the IDF. He is only 19 years of age. This Friday is his 20th birthday.

Itay may be young, but I know from his dad, Ruby, that he is already someone of great character, courage, conviction and compassion for others. Crucially, as his dad tells me, he is New York tough. I have no doubt that Itay has the strength, resilience, and determination to endure any hardship, no matter how grueling, no matter how long. That is the type of person Itay is, but he should not have to.

He shouldn't have to sit in a Hamas covert cave for 115 days awaiting rescue. He shouldn't have to wonder whether he will see home again. He shouldn't have to display the courage that I know he is showing this very moment.

Instead, Mr. Speaker, he ought to be at home right now watching tonight's NBA game and rooting for the Lakers, much to his dad's chagrin. He ought to be horsing around with his brothers, Roy and Alon. He ought to be celebrating his birthday with them and their parents, Ruby and Hagit.

Sadly, he is not. Behind every single face we see on these posters tonight are families and friends who have done everything they possibly can to bring their loved ones home. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, Ruby has come to Capitol Hill almost every week since October 7.

Mr. Speaker, these families are doing everything they can, but their Congress is not. It has been 102 days since President Biden requested emergency supplemental aid for Israel, as well as Ukraine. For 102 days, this Congress has failed to deliver.

We are not powerless, but we are lacking in action. We are Members of Congress of the United States of America. We are privileged to be in a position where we can do more than say prayers and offer condolences, although that is important.

This Congress needs to take action to put Israel in the strongest position possible to bring these hostages home safely--every one of them--and to prevent this tragedy from ever occurring again.

For the sake of Itay, his family, and all of the other hostages and their families, we must act. We must show an ounce of the resolve they display every moment this nightmare continues.

Mr. Speaker, I will keep coming to this floor until we do. I will not stop until I see Itay in his family's embrace and all those hostages returned home safely.

Let us act as we can.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his stalwart leadership and support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Stevens) who is also the co-chair of the American Hostage Task Force.

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