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PRESSURE ON QATAR

Sens. Ernst, Budd put increased pressure on Qatar to boot Hamas from Doha

The GOP senators' frustration is the latest sign of simmering frustration with Qatar on Capitol Hill

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA)

In a sign of simmering frustration with Qatar on Capitol Hill, Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Ted Budd (R-NC) declared, following Hamas’ rejection of the latest hostage deal offer, that “enough is enough” and that the administration should demand that Qatar expel Hamas leaders from the country immediately.

“Until Doha acts against the Hamas leaders it is currently sheltering, we will work with our colleagues to hold Qatar accountable for its support of this vile terrorist group,” they said.

Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of senators, including Ernst and Budd, issued a joint statement, led by the chair and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Jim Risch (R-ID), urging Qatar to expel Hamas if hostage negotiations failed.

“If Hamas refuses reasonable negotiations, there is no reason for Qatar to continue hosting Hamas’ political office or any of its members in Doha,” the statement read. “It is incumbent upon like-minded nations to work together to deny terrorist organizations, like Hamas, the financial support or safe havens that allow them to metastasize or seek legitimacy.”

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