Mr. Vice President, out of respect for the Kassig family, I have never discussed, in a political forum, my efforts as Indiana’s United States Senator to free Peter Kassig and the other hostages from ISIS captivity.  Your comments tonight leave me no choice.

As you know, I (and so many others) worked day after day with the Obama/Biden administration, our military, and others to try and bring Peter and the others home from ISIS captivity.

We worked nonstop to see the Kassig family together again with their son, and I was heartbroken we could not get him home.  I know firsthand the hard work put in by these Patriots, including the Administration, that you criticize tonight.

One thing I do clearly remember is I saw and spoke to those in the Obama/Biden administration in this all out effort to free Peter and the other hostages much more than I saw or heard from you about this effort.