Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Announcing His Joint Session Guests: New Yorkers Whose Lives Have Been Impacted By Donald Trump’s Cruel And Chaotic Agenda, And Parents Of Two Israeli Hostages Tragically Murdered By Hamas
Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to announce his guests to President Trump’s Joint Address: five New Yorkers who exemplify the human cost of President Trump’s cruel agenda, including fired veterans and Medicaid recipients, and the parents of two New Yorkers who were tragically murdered by Hamas on October 7th. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
Tomorrow, President Trump will address a Joint Meeting of Congress for the first time since taking the oath of office.
It is my honor, my true honor, to welcome seven incredible New Yorkers tomorrow, who will tell the story of what’s under threat by Donald Trump’s agenda: from Medicaid beneficiaries, to disabled veterans fired from their jobs at the VA, to fired USDA workers, to home health care workers.
It will also be my profound honor to welcome Orna Neutra, mother of Omer Neutra, and Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen – both who were murdered by vicious Hamas thugs on October 7th.
Orna’s son, Omer, was taken hostage by Hamas during the attacks on October 7th.
It wasn’t until over a year later that Omer’s family learned he was murdered by Hamas on October 7th, 2023.
Ruby’s son, Itay, was also taken hostage and tragically murdered by Hamas on the border of Gaza on October 7th. After months of fighting for his return, Itay’s family learned that he was also killed by Hamas on October 7th.
I spoke to Itay’s dad, and I spoke to Orna numerous times between October 7th and when they were notified their children had been murdered. It was vicious cruelty of Hamas – whose viciousness seems to be part of their way – not to let the families know what had happened.
Over and over again – especially Ruby Chen, who I got to know well, and we have Brooklyn roots together – would wonder: is he dead, or is he alive? And Hamas kept them dangling, as I said, viciously and cruelly.
What Omer and Itay’s family have endured is beyond comprehension. But I am inspired by their perseverance, by their resolve to keep calling for the safe return of the remaining hostages, and for the return of the bodies of their loved ones. We must bring all the hostages home now.
But it is an honor, a true honor, to welcome all my guests – the Neutras, the Chens, and of course the others – to the Capitol.
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