US Senate unanimously passes bipartisan resolution honoring American October 7 victims

The resolution, S.Res.938, lists out 40 of the 46 Americans killed on October 7, as well as the seven hostages who were successfully freed alive from Hamas captivity.

The United States Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution honoring the American citizens killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, on Wednesday.

The resolution, S.Res.938, lists out 40 of the 46 Americans killed on October 7, as well as the seven hostages who were successfully freed alive from Hamas captivity.

In passing the resolution, the Senate resolved to honor and mourn the victims; express condolences to the victims' families; condemn Hamas and its affiliates; commend the US government for its role in freeing some of the hostages; urge the government to continue working to free US citizens held hostage across the world; and supports continued engagement by the US government with October 7 victims and their families.

The resolution also directs the Senate to dispatch a copy of the resolution to the families of American October 7 victims.

US has duty to secure justice for its people, senator says

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who cosponsored the resolution along with Jewish Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen, celebrated its passing in the Senate.

“Three years ago, the world watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred innocent civilians, including American citizens," the Republican senator said. "Families were torn apart, communities were decimated, and innocents, including babies and young children, were barbarically murdered. Americans were among the victims. There is no moral gray area here; Hamas is evil. Our country must protect our people and has a duty to secure justice for them. I was proud to work with Senator Rosen to honor the Americans whose lives were unjustly taken from them and the hostages who will spend the rest of their lives scarred by that tragic day.”

Rosen also responded to the resolutions' passing, saying that "It is our responsibility to make sure the world never forgets the unspeakable violence carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 – the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust."

The Democratic senator added that she introduced the bipartisan resolution "to honor the Americans who were killed on that day and those taken hostage by Hamas. It also honors the hostages’ families, who demonstrated remarkable courage during a time of intense grief and anxiety by being steadfast and fierce advocates for the return of their loved ones. Today, nearly three years after the horror of October 7, we mark this tragic date and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the American victims and their families and all those held hostage around the world.”