Staff Reports
More than 100 House Republicans have united to challenge the Biden administration's decision to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian assets last month during a prisoner exchange, a move that has raised eyebrows. Led by Rep. August Pfluger of Texas and supported by influential Republicans like Kevin Hern, Joe Wilson, and Mike Gallagher, the bill has garnered a substantial 103 co-sponsors, demonstrating remarkable unity among the GOP.
Blinken blames President Trump for Biden's $6 billion gift to Iran even tho thanks to Biden Iran's oil exports have increased four- to five-fold under his presidency by refusing to enforce Trump-era sanctions.
Blinken won't say if the U.S. will re-freeze the funds. pic.twitter.com/vty0Ue8Jis
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) October 12, 2023
Here's the scoop: While the funds were initially intended for "humanitarian needs," Republicans are highly skeptical. They lay blame on President Biden, asserting that releasing the funds could potentially contribute to the recent attacks by Hamas on Israel. Frankly, they have a valid point. Iran, widely recognized as the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, was already involved in supporting Hamas in planning reprehensible acts of violence against our ally, Israel, when we decided to release $6 billion. It's hard to ignore the implications.
But here's the twist: the Biden administration appears content with their "quiet understanding" with Iran. They are unwilling to take definitive action to permanently freeze these funds, so it falls upon Congress to intervene. Leaders like Pfluger are not willing to stand idly by while our hard-earned money potentially supports terrorism. If the administration won't do its part, the GOP will step up.
In the midst of this turmoil, Israel has declared war on Hamas following the group's rocket attacks on their territory. Israel is taking decisive measures, such as cutting off Gaza's access to electricity, food, and fuel. It may sound harsh, but when a country is under attack, there is no room for leniency.
Unfortunately, the death toll is rising on both sides, with approximately 2,500 people losing their lives. Astonishingly, the White House insists that the release of these funds has no bearing on the situation. Can you believe it? First, they downplay Iran's role in these attacks, and now they expect us to believe that $6 billion is sitting idle? That's a tough sell!
Republican senators aren't idly watching this unfold either. They have addressed a letter to President Biden, demanding that Qatar freezes the bank accounts containing these funds. It's the right thing to do. We cannot permit Iran and Hamas to get away with this. Money is versatile, and there is a substantial risk that these funds may be employed in further terrorist activities against Israel. It's high time for the Biden administration to wake up and acknowledge the threat to our national security.
While repatriating American citizens remains a top priority, it should not blind us to the larger perspective. Our allies require our backing, and we cannot afford to be complacent with Iran when they are backing terrorists who seek to obliterate everything we hold dear. Action is what's needed, not just empty rhetoric from the White House.
