President Barack Obama and Mexico each took a tongue-lashing at a rare mid-recess Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday on the case of a U.S. Marine imprisoned for six months in Mexico on questionable charges.

Talk-show host Montel Williams, a former Marine who has become a leading advocate for the release of the Afghanistan veteran, urged Obama to call Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to free Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi who has been held in Mexico since March.

“If this hearing’s going to stop in 10 minutes, I think the president needs to pick up the phone in 15,” Williams said, his voice breaking with emotion. “Make the call. Make the call today.”