Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) issued the following statement on renewed negotiations to release the hostages still held by Hamas following its brutal October 7th attack:“It is despicable that Hamas continues to hold over 130 innocent civilians hostage, including American citizens, nearly half a year later. As negotiations to secure their release resume, we urge Qatar and Egypt to use all of their leverage to immediately secure the release of the hostages on reasonable terms. There must be tangible, severe consequences for delaying or impeding negotiations, and Hamas should understand that delays or further harm to these civilians will come at a cost. Lives are at stake and time is of the essence. Continued negotiations should carry a vital sense of urgency.”
