WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, launches an evil attack against Israel, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement today demanding that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately put the House-passed Israel aid bill, as well as his Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act, on the Senate floor for a vote when the Senate returns to Washington on Monday.

Earlier this week, Senator Scott wrote an op-ed for Fox News highlighting the need for the United States to stand strongly with Israel in its fight against Hamas and demanding that President Biden do more to hold Qatar accountable in its hostage negotiations role. This op-ed immediately follows Senator Scott’s visit to Israel, during which he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials to discuss the United States’ and Israel’s shared priority of destroying Iran-backed Hamas terrorists that have killed thousands of individuals, and continue to hold hundreds hostage, including Americans, since the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Israel is once again under attack and the United States must clearly and strongly stand with our great ally and fully support its right and obligation to defend itself by any means necessary. I was just in Israel to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and see the terror and devastation that Iran-backed Hamas terrorists unleashed on the Jewish State on October 7th firsthand. More than 1,200 were murdered and hundreds are still being held hostage by Hamas. Americans are among the hostages and those murdered that day. The horrors of that attack are difficult to describe and can never happen again. Today, I am praying for the safety of the Israeli people and call on every Republican and Democrat to stand unequivocally with Israel as it fights for its very existence against evil terrorism. Again and again, Democrats have blocked the passage of aid for Israel. The House has passed a good bill that is ready for Senate passage right now. I urge Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to immediately put the House-passed clean Israel aid bill on the floor, as well as my Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act, the moment we return to Washington on Monday. Nothing before the Senate is more important and I will do everything in my power to make sure that vote happens.

“Let us all remember who the enemy is and has always been: the evil, terror-supporting regime in Iran. Since its first days, the Biden administration has emboldened Iran with appeasement, freeing billions of dollars to fuel Iran’s support of terrorism and turning its back on Israel. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and one of America’s strongest allies, but it took President Biden months to meet or speak with Prime Minister Netanyahu after he took office, and the world took notice. Since October 7th, President Biden and Democrats in Washington have continued to undermine Israel’s fight against Iran-backed Hamas terrorists, further isolating our ally in its greatest time of need. America and the freedom-loving nations of the world are less safe and secure because of President Biden’s weakness and appeasement of evil regimes and the terror each support. I will always stand with Israel and again demand that the Biden administration and every member of Congress make clear today that they will do the same.”

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