Condemning the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and calling for Hamas and its leaders to immediately and unconditionally surrender and to release the hostages, including Americans.

Bill Number

H.Res. 795

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-10-08: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2025-12-02T09:05:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 795) aims to formally condemn the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, against Israel, describe the ongoing conflict and related events, and urge Hamas to surrender unconditionally and release all remaining hostages, including Americans. It also reaffirms support for Israel's right to self-defense and addresses rising antisemitism.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes detailed "Whereas" clauses outlining the background and context, followed by six main directives in the "Resolved" section:

• Condemnation of atrocities: Strongly denounces the October 7 attacks by Hamas and allied groups, described as the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust, including murders, rapes, kidnappings, and the use of sexual violence as a weapon; also condemns ongoing rocket attacks and use of human shields.
• Demand for surrender and hostage release: Calls on Hamas and its leaders to immediately stop attacks, surrender, and free all 48 remaining hostages (including two Americans: Itay Chen and Omer Neutra).
• Support for Israel's self-defense: Reaffirms Israel's inherent right as a sovereign nation to protect itself from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis.
• Commitment to humanitarian aid: Pledges to ensure aid reaches Palestinian civilians without benefiting Hamas, noting U.S. efforts to facilitate this.
• Call for international action: Urges the United Nations and all countries to denounce Hamas's actions and demand hostage release.
• Opposition to antisemitism: Condemns global and domestic rises in antisemitic incidents (e.g., attacks in Amsterdam, Washington, DC, and Boulder, Colorado) and commits to combating hatred in schools, campuses, and communities.

The resolution also references post-October 7 events, including hostage releases (e.g., 105 in November 2023 and 34 in early 2025), U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran (e.g., strikes in June 2025), cease-fires, and the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, not a law or bill that amends statutes. It does not introduce new legal requirements or alter existing U.S. policy, such as Hamas's designation as a foreign terrorist organization (established under prior law). Instead, it serves as a formal expression of the House's position.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: May guide U.S. foreign policy priorities, such as continued military support for Israel, hostage recovery efforts led by the State Department and intelligence agencies, and humanitarian aid distribution via USAID to avoid Hamas. It could influence diplomatic mediation in cease-fires.
• On citizens: Reinforces U.S. commitment to protecting American hostages and combating antisemitism, potentially leading to increased federal resources for Jewish community safety (e.g., through the Department of Justice or Homeland Security). Palestinian civilians may benefit indirectly from emphasized aid channels.
• On international relations: Strengthens U.S.-Israel alliance and signals firm opposition to Iran and its proxies, potentially affecting alliances in the Middle East. It pressures global bodies like the UN to act against Hamas, but as a symbolic measure, it has limited enforceable impact.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Israeli government and citizens: Benefits from reaffirmed support for self-defense and condemnation of attacks displacing northern residents.
• Hamas and Palestinian groups: Directly targeted with calls for surrender; aid provisions aim to help noncombatants while isolating militants.
• Hostage families and victims: Including Americans like Edan Alexander (released) and remaining captives; highlights their plight and U.S. negotiation efforts.
• Jewish and American communities: Addresses rising antisemitism, impacting diaspora groups facing harassment or violence.
• U.S. government and allies: Involves bipartisan lawmakers (over 70 cosponsors), military, and diplomatic entities; extends to regional partners countering Iranian aggression.
• Iranian proxies (e.g., Hezbollah, Houthis): Indirectly criticized for escalating conflicts.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: No direct legal effect, as resolutions are advisory and do not require presidential approval or create enforceable obligations. It aligns with existing U.S. law designating Hamas as a terrorist group under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
• Constitutional: Upholds First Amendment principles by condemning hate speech and violence without restricting free expression; supports Article I powers of Congress in foreign affairs declarations.
• Political: Demonstrates rare bipartisan consensus (cosponsored by Democrats and Republicans) on Israel support amid domestic debates on the conflict. It could shape public discourse, election rhetoric, and U.S. aid to Israel (over $3 billion annually), while highlighting tensions over antisemitism on campuses, potentially influencing education policy or hate crime prosecutions. The inclusion of future-dated events (e.g., 2025 cease-fires) suggests a forward-looking narrative to frame ongoing U.S. involvement.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Cosponsors (68)

Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] and 18 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-10-08: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-10-08: Submitted in House
• 2025-10-08: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Condemning the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and calling for Hamas and its leaders to immediately and unconditionally surrender and to release the hostages, including Americans. — issued 2025-10-08 — PDF (7 pages)