WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, following President Biden’s address to the nation last night, and news of two American hostages being released into Egypt, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement demanding that President Biden focus solely on immediately executing a plan to get Americans held hostage by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists home to the United States, and providing Israel everything it needs to destroy Hamas terrorists. Since the October 7^th attack on Israel, Iran-backed Hamas terrorists have taken the lives of more than 1,400 Israelis and others, including at least 32 Americans.

Senator Rick Scott said, “President Biden’s address to the nation from the Oval Office mentioned Ukraine 23 times, but hostages only twice. In his 15 minute speech, President Biden spent only 15 seconds discussing American hostages and 0 seconds on an actionable plan to get them home safely. Biden claimed that getting hostages home is his top priority, but that’s hard to believe when it was just 2.1% of this speech. Let me be clear: Iran-backed Hamas terrorists have already killed at least 32 Americans and AMERICAN LIVES ARE STILL AT STAKE. I was glad to hear that two American hostages have been released into Egypt today, but more must be done. Instead of offering humanitarian aid to Hamas-controlled Gaza knowing it will only fuel more terror and death by Hamas, I urge President Biden to immediately address the nation to make clear that he has an immediate and actionable plan to get every American home.”

Following the attacks and throughout this week, Senator Scott has taken the following actions and released the following statements:

• October 7, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott: America Stands with Israel
• October 8, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott Calls on Abraham Accords & Gulf Council Nations to Condemn Attacks, Stand Strongly with Israel
• October 10, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Senate Republicans Call On Biden To Freeze $6 Billion Iran Transfer
• October 10, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott to Social Media Companies: Don’t Give Terrorism a Global Platform
• October 10, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues to Biden: Following Hamas Attacks on Israel, Convene the G7 to Jointly Sanction Iran
• October 11, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Jacky Rosen & Bipartisan Group of Senate Armed Services Committee Members In Requesting Additional Iron Dome Batteries For Israel
• October 12, 2023: Sens. Rick Scott & Marco Rubio Lead Republican Colleagues in Demanding Answers for Violations of Iran’s Nuclear Program Following Brutal Iran-Backed Attacks on Israel
• October 13, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott Meets with Jewish Leaders, Hosts Press Conference on Standing with Israel in Aventura
• October 17, 2023: PHOTO RELEASE Sen. Rick Scott Demands that Biden Permanently Rescind $6 Billion Payment to Hamas-Supporting Iranian Regime
• October 17, 2023: Sens. Rick Scott, Marco Rubio & Colleagues: Ban Oil and Natural Gas Imports From Venezuela and Iran
• October 17, 2023: Sens. Rick Scott, Marsha Blackburn and Colleagues Introduce Bill to End U.S. Aid to U.N. in Hamas-Controlled Gaza
• October 18, 2023: Sens. Rick Scott & Tim Scott Lead Colleagues in Bill to Freeze $6 Billion to Iran, Probe Additional Iranian Assets
• October 18, 2023: VIDEO RELEASE Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues: We Stand With Israel, Demand Immediate Rescue of American Hostages
• October 18, 2023: Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sens. Joni Ernst & Cory Booker: President Biden Must Do Everything in His Power to Rescue American Hostages
• October 18, 2023: Senate Democrats Protect Hamas, Block Sen. Rick Scott's Bill to Prevent U.S. Tax Dollars From Funding Iran-Backed Terrorists
• October 19, 2023: PHOTO RELEASE Sen. Rick Scott Meets with Jewish Leaders, Hosts Roundtable on Standing with Israel in Boca Raton

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