107 House Republicans propose bill to freeze $6 billion in Iranian funds.
Over 100 House Republicans Push to Rescind $6 Billion in Iranian Funds
More than 100 House Republicans have joined forces to support a bill introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) aimed at reversing President Joe Biden’s release of $6 billion to Iran. The funds were part of a prisoner exchange last month, but allegations have surfaced that Iran assisted the Hamas terrorist group in planning an attack on Israel.
“A month ago on the anniversary of 9/11, the Biden Administration unfroze $6 billion and made it available to Iran—the world’s largest state sponsor of terror—while Iran was helping Hamas plan the horrific terror attacks on Israel,” said Mr. Pfluger, emphasizing the claim of Iranian involvement in the recent attack.
So far, the Biden administration and the Israeli government have not presented any specific evidence linking Iran to the October 7 attack. However, it is widely known that Iran financially supports Palestinian terror groups, including Hamas.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also dismissed claims that the $6 billion in unfrozen funds directly supported Hamas, stating that none of the funds have been withdrawn from the Iranian side. The Biden administration granted clemency to five Iranian nationals in exchange for the release of five U.S. citizens held in Iran, as well as the transfer of the frozen funds.
During a White House press briefing, National Security Counsel spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the $6 billion in funds are still in the transfer process and remain in a bank account controlled by the government of Qatar.
Despite the assurances from Biden administration officials, lawmakers from both parties are calling for executive action to refreeze the funds. Rep. Pfluger has drafted his own bill, H.R. 5947, to freeze the funds through legislation.
“This $6 billion will be used to backfill the money that Iran is paying to Hamas if we don’t act,” warned Mr. Pfluger. “The Administration’s supposed ‘quiet understanding’ with Qatar, also a host country of Hamas, is a disaster waiting to happen. Since the Administration refuses to permanently freeze the funds, Congress will.”
Among the 106 original cosponsors of the bill is Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern (R-Okla.).
“The Biden Administration first downplayed Iran’s role in Hamas’ attacks and then, astonishingly, tried to claim the $6 billion they gave to Iran has nothing to do with it,” said Mr. Hern. “Appeasing Iran does not work, it just gives them more resources to finance terrorism against Israel and cause chaos in the region. Iran provides over $100 million a year to Hamas; the Biden administration just gave $6 billion to Hamas’ biggest backer.”
During his White House press briefing, Mr. Kirby reiterated the Biden administration’s assurances that the $6 billion in unfrozen Iranian funds can only be used for limited humanitarian purposes and that the Qatari bank account was established with oversight features by the Trump administration. However, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has cast doubt on these humanitarian assurances, stating that Iran will have the final say on how the funds are used.
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), another prominent co-sponsor of Mr. Pfluger’s bill, highlighted President Raisi’s comments and led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a letter urging President Biden to refreeze the funds.
“Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi put it plainly that the funds would be used ‘wherever we need it,'” the bipartisan letter states. “Iran’s ‘need’ is Israel’s destruction.”
However, the bill and other House bills face challenges without a House speaker to set the legislative agenda. Last week, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was removed from the speakership, and the House Republican majority has encountered difficulties in selecting a new speaker.
From NTD News
Why do Republicans argue that the release of funds to Iran undermines U.S. national security and puts American allies, particularly Israel, at risk?
Dent (R-Florida), who said, “We cannot allow the Biden administration to turn a blind eye to Iran’s support for terrorism. The release of these funds only serves to embolden Iran and further destabilize the region. We must take action to prevent this from happening.”
The bill, if passed, would rescind the $6 billion in Iranian funds and prevent any future releases without congressional approval. It would also require the Biden administration to provide evidence of Iranian involvement in terrorist activities before any funds are released.
Support for the bill has been strong among Republicans, with many arguing that the release of funds to Iran undermines U.S. national security and puts American allies, particularly Israel, at risk. They believe that Iran is using these funds to finance terrorist activities and that the Biden administration’s decision to release the funds without concrete evidence of Iranian involvement is a grave mistake.
Democrats, on the other hand, have been hesitant to support the bill, citing concerns that it may jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran. They argue that freezing the funds could escalate tensions between the two countries and make it harder to negotiate future agreements.
However, some Democrats have expressed reservations about the release of the funds and have called for greater transparency and accountability from the Biden administration. They believe that evidence of Iranian involvement in terrorist activities should be presented before any funds are released, and that Congress should have a say in the decision-making process.
The bill is currently being reviewed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which will determine whether it will proceed to a floor vote. If the bill passes in the House, it will then move to the Senate for further consideration.
Regardless of the outcome, the push to rescind the $6 billion in Iranian funds highlights the deep divisions within Congress over U.S. policy towards Iran. It also underscores the ongoing concerns about Iran’s support for terrorism and the challenges faced by the Biden administration in navigating this complex issue.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Republicans can garner enough support from Democrats to pass the bill and
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