Senator Andy Kim ... called for the immediate release of New Jersey native Edan Alexander and all remaining hostages kidnapped during the Hamas terror attacks on October 7th, 2023.
Call for the immediate release of all hostages kidnapped during the Hamas terror attacks on October 7th, 2023.
Occurrences
Evidence
Today, Senator Andy Kim released the following statement on a confirmed ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas: 'The announcement of this ceasefire comes as a relief for the families of hostages who have been without their loved ones for 466 days...'
At a press briefing in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) called for a release of all hostages held by Hamas.
Freshman senator says proposed bomb sales will put ceasefire further out of reach. By Joey Fox, April 03 2025 4:45 pm. A quixotic attempt to block some arms sale to Israel was defeated soundly in the U.S. Senate today, but the progressive Democrats behind the attempt have gained a new and perhaps unexpected ally: freshman Senator Andy Kim.
Ms. ROSEN (for herself, Mr. YOUNG, Mr. BOOKER, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. SCHU-MER, Mr. CASSIDY, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. KIM, and Mr. COONS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations: S. RES. 227. Whereas, on October 7, 2023, Hamas, the United States-designated and Iran-backed terror group, launched premeditated, coordinated, and brutal terrorist attacks from the Gaza Strip into Israel, targeting the Israeli people; Whereas, on October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded more than 20 communities bordering the Gaza Strip and attacked innocent young people attending the Tribe of Nova music festival; Whereas, on October 7, 2023, Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and wounded nearly 4,000 people; Whereas Hamas posted and live streamed footage of executing Israeli civilians, including entire families being slaughtered and horrific acts of violence targeting young children; Whereas Hamas and other terrorist organizations kidnaped more than 250 hostages, comprised of more than 20 nationalities, into Gaza; Whereas Hamas committed acts of sexual violence on October 7th, and returned hostages confirmed they were subjected to acts of sexual violence and psychological torture while held in captivity by Hamas; Whereas the hostages that were taken include children, women, men, and the elderly; Whereas 196 hostages, 147 alive, have been released or rescued by the Israel Defense Forces and 58 remain in captivity, including 4 United States nationals, Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Judi Weinstein, and Gad Haggai; Whereas the United States Government secured the release of Edan Alexander on May 12, 2025; Whereas, upon their release in the early part of 2025, hostages were paraded through...
Assessments
The promise was to call for the immediate release of all hostages, not to secure their release. As a sitting U.S. senator, Andy Kim publicly called for the release of all Hamas-held hostages at a February 2025 press briefing and co-sponsored S. Res. 227 in May 2025 demanding their immediate release. Those actions directly satisfy the rhetoric-only commitment during the same federal term.
The promise was rhetoric-only: to 'call for' the immediate release of all hostages. Senator Andy Kim publicly called for the release in a press briefing, co-sponsored a Senate resolution demanding the hostages' release, made public statements after a ceasefire and hostage-release deal, and took legislative actions consistent with the stated objective. These fulfill the rhetorical and advocacy obligations specified in the promise.