Palmetto State News

U.S. Senators Tim Scott, Roger Wicker, and Tom Cotton have introduced a resolution highlighting that President Biden has the authority, under Article II of the Constitution, to use military force to secure the release of American hostages in Gaza. The resolution also urges President Biden to exercise this authority. The senators argue that at least six American hostages remain in Gaza, where Hamas continues to use innocent civilians as human shields.

Senator Scott emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "On October 7, 2023, the world watched as Hamas inflicted unspeakable acts of terror against Israel and took over 200 people hostage, including at least six American citizens who remain in terrorist captivity. Their families deserve action. The president has the authority—and the responsibility—to consider the use of all appropriate tools at his disposal to secure their safe release. It is past time to bring them all home."

Echoing Senator Scott's sentiments, Senator Wicker emphasized that the president has the necessary tools to bring the hostages home and urged President Biden to show resolve against the barbaric terrorists. "Senate Republicans will continue to push the President to protect the American people," he added.

Senator Cotton highlighted the duty of the U.S. government to take necessary steps to protect American hostages. He pointed out that the military has special operations forces trained in hostage rescue and that it is the responsibility of the U.S. government to utilize every capability to ensure the safety of the Americans held by Hamas or any other group.

The background to this resolution stems from the coordinated series of surprise terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, against Israel on October 7, 2023. These attacks resulted in the loss of over 1,200 lives, including Americans, and the taking of approximately 240 hostages. Today, Hamas continues to hold around 130 people hostage in Gaza, including at least six U.S. citizens.

Under Article II of the Constitution, the president, as commander-in-chief, has the power to direct the use of military force in self-defense, including the defense of U.S. citizens. The resolution introduced by Senators Scott, Wicker, and Cotton seeks to remind President Biden of this authority and urge him to use it to secure the release of the American hostages in Gaza.

Senator Scott, who has long supported Israel as the United States' most important ally and strategic partner in the Middle East, has been actively advocating for the release of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained overseas. He has also taken action to oppose policies that incentivize hostage-taking, such as the misguided Iran policy. Senator Scott has been holding the administration accountable and has introduced the Revoke Iranian Funding Act to freeze the $6 billion released by the Biden administration to Iran last summer. Additionally, he has called for an accounting of all high-value Iranian assets that are currently blocked by U.S. sanctions.

The resolution introduced by Senators Scott, Wicker, and Cotton serves as a reminder to President Biden of his authority to use military force and urges him to take action to secure the release of American hostages in Gaza. The senators emphasize the urgency of the situation and the need to protect American citizens from the barbaric terrorists.