{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=34D66194-CA78-4B40-852A-7F46E6B9A9D4", "VIDEO: Fischer Outlines Devastating Impact of Barbaric Hamas Attack, Reaffirms U.S. Support for Israel in Senate Floor Speech", "2023-10-26", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "NE", "Deb Fischer", "F000463", "www.fischer.senate.gov", "fischer", "https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cWe Must Send a Clear Message to Hamas, Hezbollah, and Their State Sponsor Iran: We Will Not Equivocate in Our Support for Israel.\u201d\n\nClick the image above to watch video of Sen. Fischer\u2019s remarks\n\nEighteen days ago, terror shook the Middle East. Eighteen days ago, Hamas tore children from their parents, tore mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters from their families. Eighteen days ago, terrorism swept across Israel, destroying everything in its path.\n\nWe all know this. We\u2019ve heard about these attacks repeatedly with every news cycle. Even as we continue reading articles, hearing analysis, and seeing new information, let\u2019s not forget the reality of these terrorist attacks \u2014 the seriousness of such a massive loss of human life.\n\nHamas killed over 1400 people, over 1400 innocent civilians, in its attacks this month. Death touched thousands of friends and family members, and its aftereffects are still rippling across Israel and across the world.\n\nLet\u2019s resist our modern impulse to leave this tragedy behind in favor of the next headline. Let\u2019s allow the abuse, torture, and murder of Israelis and Americans alike to strike a fresh sense of grief and anger in our hearts every time we hear of them.\n\nThat grief and anger must drive us to respond to the horror of terrorism. Israel is responding, yes. But the response to terrorism should not be bound by Israel\u2019s national borders. Because terrorism itself is not bound by national borders.\n\nHamas killed American citizens in its assaults on innocent people across Israel. Terrorists are still holding American citizens hostage in Gaza. Hamas has American blood on its hands.\n\nOne American, Hayim Katsman, hid in a closet with his neighbor as Hamas militants rained gunfire on an Israeli village. A neighbor told CNN that Katsman covered him with his body and saved his life by absorbing the bullets.\n\nAmerican Deborah Matias and her husband sacrificed themselves for their 16-year-old son, acting as human shields against Hamas\u2019s fire.\n\nTwo American brothers, Igal and Amit Wachs, died together \u2014 both trying to save those around them. Amit, who volunteered as head of the village\u2019s self-defense unit, ran outside to help his neighbors at the beginning of the attack. In the process, he was killed. Igal was killed as he searched for a weapon to defend himself and his family.\n\nThese are real people \u2014 real Americans \u2014 whose lives were extinguished far too early by the terror in Israel.\n\nIt\u2019s critical that we see the return of every American stranded in Israel or held hostage in Gaza. Every American must be accounted for and safely brought home.\n\nFollowing the cold-blooded slaughter of both Americans and Israelis, the United States must stand firmly with Israel. We must send a clear message to Hamas, Hezbollah, and their state sponsor Iran: we will not equivocate in our support for Israel. We will stand with them and provide the assistance they need as they make difficult decisions to defend their sovereign nation.\n\nCongress and the administration must work together to gather all of our diplomatic and economic strength against Iran. We must work together to aid Israel \u2014 whether through economic support, lethal aid, or increased intelligence sharing.\n\nWe know Israel will need more defensive capabilities, including Tamir interceptors for its Iron Dome air defense system \u2014 the backbone of its missile defense architecture. I support the Department of Defense\u2019s plans to send our two Iron Dome batteries to Israel to bolster their security. My colleagues and I introduced a bill to reallocate aid funding to Israel\u2019s Iron Dome that could have ended up in Hamas\u2019s pockets. This legislation would be an important first step in defending Israel against further attacks.\n\nWe know Israel will need more offensive capabilities, including precision guided munitions to hit specific ground targets. We know Israel will need our intelligence on the Middle East so it can eliminate the Hamas threat completely.\n\nAnd we know standing with Israel against terror will buttress and fortify our own national defense.\n\nOur support of Israel will help it triumph over terrorism. And our support of Israel will help us show strength and deter our adversaries. By protecting Israeli interests, we will promote American interests as well.\n\nThank you, M. President, I yield the floor.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:43:12Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=34D66194-CA78-4B40-852A-7F46E6B9A9D4"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3377140276134014, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}