Statement from Congressman Dan Goldman on Frozen Iranian Humanitarian Funds and Support for President Biden in Hostage Negotiations
“On October 7th, Hamas terrorists carried out the single most horrific attack against Jews that this world has seen since the Holocaust. They did so with the support and backing of leaders and government officials in Iran.
“In the aftermath of Hamas’ brutal torture, rape, and murder of innocent civilians, President Biden worked with our Qatari allies to ensure that the $6 billion sitting in a restricted account for humanitarian purchases remains inaccessible to Iran. Not a single cent of these funds has ever been touched by the Iranian government, nor will they ever be touched by a government that supports Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists.
“The $6 billion designated for humanitarian aid to the Iranian people was just one part of a complicated agreement between the Biden administration Iran to return five American hostages.
“While Iran must face consequences for its role in the devastation in Israel, H.R. 5961 would do nothing to achieve this goal. The Administration has made explicitly clear that Iran will not see this money, and I am satisfied by this assurance, rendering this bill superfluous and unnecessary.
“Yet this bill effectively allows Congress to swoop in after the fact to change the terms of an agreement delicately reached by the Administration under its foreign policy authorities. If passed, this legislation would have the detrimental, long-term effect of undermining the credibility of the United States in future negotiations with foreign adversaries, thus making it more difficult to bring American hostages home.”
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