A bipartisan effort to freeze billions in funding to Iran delivered a decidedly embarrassing blow to President Joe Biden and his so-called foreign policy.
In a clear 307 to 119 vote, 90 Democrats joined their Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act. Only one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), opposed the measure.
The bill, now headed to the Senate, seeks to impose sanctions to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from accessing the $6 billion in funds that were unfrozen by the White House in September ahead of a controversial deal to secure the release of Americans held in Iran’s prisons.
The humiliating defeat for Biden comes as Iran has increasingly come under fire for its support of the terrorist group Hamas which attacked Israel on October 7 soon after the president unfroze the funds and made the prisoner swap.
UNPRECEDENTED
The House just passed @RepMcCaul‘s bill WITH @RepPfluger‘s amendment. This bill PERMANENTLY freezes ALL Iranian sanctioned funds!
No more:
$6 B in Qatar
$10 B in Iraq electricity waiversThis is the toughest Iran sanctions bill ever passed out of the House!
— RSC (@RepublicanStudy) November 30, 2023
“The swap deal, mediated by Qatar and announced broadly on Aug. 10, allows five U.S. citizens detained by Iran to leave in exchange for the transfer of the funds to banks in Qatar and the release of five Iranians held in the United States,” Reuters reported in September.
Biden put a temporary hold on the billions in an awkward about-face after the attack on Israel, earning more rebukes and condemnation, including from Democrats. But the vote on Thursday permanently freezes the funds.
Today, I voted to permanently freeze $6 billion that Joe Biden tried to give to Iran. I voted YES on HR 5961, the ‘No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act’. Iran knows that money is fungible and used that $6 billion to offset their funding of Hamas terrorists who are cutting the heads…
— Rep. Jeff Duncan (@RepJeffDuncan) November 30, 2023
“If they won’t do it, then we will,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Rep. Michael McCaul said after Thursday’s bill passage.
“Congress will stop this money from going into Iran, not just for politics, not even for the American people, but for the victims of terrorism around the world, especially the people of Israel,” the Texas Republican added.
While I’m relieved innocent Americans held in Iran have returned home safely, the Biden admin’s dangerous $6b hostage deal put a price on every American head all over the world.
My bill would freeze those funds & repair the damage. Watch my remarks today on the House floor ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/znNO2HmT8A
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) November 30, 2023
Democrat Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York disagreed with the bill, arguing that “not one penny” of the now-frozen funds had been spent by Iran.
“Supporting this legislation will shoot American global credibility in the foot,” he claimed.
But McCaul had warned that the release of funds and prisoner swap deal was not “just about the five American hostages.”
“There’s something else going on here,” McCaul said. “This is about the undercurrent of a deal we don’t know about.”
While 90 Democrats did break from the party line to vote with Republicans on the bill, Democratic leadership was split on the issue. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Caucus chairman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) voted in favor of freezing the funds while Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Assistant Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) voted against the bill.
“Iran continues to fund brutal terrorism around the world, and the United States should not be in the business of negotiating billions of dollars that could be used to do more harm, and inspire more hostage operations,” said Kentucky GOP Rep. Harold Rogers, Dean of the House.
“Iran continues to support evil groups, like Hamas and Hezbollah, with total disregard for innocent lives. The terrorist attack on Israel magnified the need to freeze these funds. We must continue to stand against all forms of tyranny, and this bill ensures proper sanctions are restored to protect our allies.,” he added.
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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