Arizona’s two new members of the U.S. House of Representatives were sworn into office on Friday.
Representatives Yassamin Ansari and Abe Hamadeh took their oaths of office as the House resumed session.
Hamadeh, an Army veteran, who replaces Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., took his oath while honoring the life of ISIS victim Kayla Mueller by using her family’s Bible during the ceremony in Washington, D.C., according to FOX News.
“This year will mark 10 years since the tragic loss of Kayla Mueller, a beacon of selflessness and courage whose legacy continues to inspire Americans across the nation. Kayla’s parents, Carl and Marsha Mueller, have borne the unimaginable pain of losing their daughter and endured years of uncertainty surrounding her fate,” Hamadeh told Fox News Digital. “Their strength and resilience are the foundation of Kayla’s extraordinary spirit.”
The young Mueller, as noted by FOX News, “was abducted by terrorists while leaving a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Aleppo, Syria, in 2013. She was held hostage for 18 months, when she was believed to be repeatedly tortured and raped by ISIS militants, including then-ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.”
According to FOX News, Hamadeh cited the Muellers’ 2020 RNC address in his comment to the outlet, reflecting on how the young woman’s mother read a letter her daughter wrote while imprisoned, which stated: “I have been shown in darkness light and have learned that even in prison, one can be free.”
“It was an honor to have Carl and Marsha Mueller at my swearing-in ceremony today using the Muellers’ family Bible. ,” tweeted Hamadeh.
It was an honor to have Carl and Marsha Mueller at my swearing-in ceremony today using the Muellers’ family Bible. 🙏
‘Beacon of selflessness’: ISIS victim Kayla Mueller honored at Congressman’s swearing-in 10 years after death https://t.co/uMRjD9SImQ #FoxNews
— Abe Hamadeh (@AbrahamHamadeh) January 4, 2025
For her part, Ansari, who replaces now-Senator Ruben Gallego, focused her message on her association with members of “The Squad,” tweeting out a photo with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Lateefah Simon, and Congress’ first transexual member, Representative Sarah McBride.
“There’s no way to not feel emotional as I sit alongside such remarkable Congresswomen
@RepAOC, @lateefahsimon, and @SarahEMcBride — all history makers in their own right.
Let’s kick off the 119th Congress! I’m so honored to represent you in #AZ03.”
There’s no way to not feel emotional as I sit alongside such remarkable Congresswomen @RepAOC, @lateefahsimon, and @SarahEMcBride — all history makers in their own right.
Let’s kick off the 119th Congress! I’m so honored to represent you in #AZ03. pic.twitter.com/aDJfW52w3s
— Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (@RepYassAnsari) January 3, 2025
