Unidentified speaker urges sanctions on International Criminal Court officials, criticizes administration over U.S. hostages

An unidentified speaker used floor remarks to criticize the Biden administration’s handling of Americans held overseas and to voice support for sanctions targeting officials at the International Criminal Court. The speaker said seven Americans remain hostage—“4 deceased, 3 presumed living”—and repeatedly asked, “Where is Joe Biden?”

The speaker argued the administration has not “put adequate pressure on our allies” and has “failed miserably in the responsibility to get Americans home.” The speaker also asserted that when ceasefires have allowed hostage releases, American hostages have not been freed, calling that “shameful.”

The remarks linked those grievances to criticism of the International Criminal Court, which the speaker said “has continually abused its authority and demonstrated blatant hostility toward our allies and American values.” The speaker explicitly voiced support for what he called the “illegitimate court counteraction act to reimpose sanctions on officials working for the International Criminal Court,” adding that the ICC’s recent action seeking arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and other cabinet members amounted to “little more than a political smear campaign cloaked in the veneer of international law.”

The speaker referenced Israel’s effort to recover hostages and defend itself “against terrorists in the Middle East,” and said the ICC and the United Nations had shown “a clear bias against Israel.” The speaker named Sinwar and Hassan Nasrallah in saying certain leaders “would still be alive if Netanyahu listened to this administration,” attributing that comment to the speaker’s view of U.S. policy advice to Israel.

The speaker also framed the ICC as having “repeatedly targeted the United States and our service members,” alleging investigations of Americans who “have risked their lives to defend our freedom around the world.” The remarks did not include a bill number, committee reference, or any formal motion or recorded vote. The speaker urged colleagues to “support this critical measure” and to “ensure that the US remains steadfast in defending our allies, protecting our citizens and upholding the tenets that have long defined our leadership on the world stage.”

No formal action or vote was recorded in the provided transcript segment. The speaker’s support was expressed in remarks only; there was no on-the-record motion, amendment, or roll-call vote included in these remarks.