With the help of Alabama’s Republican congressional delegation, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to freeze $6 billion in funds to Iran.
The No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, introduced by the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, passed 307-119 with only one Republican voting against it. The bill blocks Iran from ever accessing the $6 billion recently released to the country by the Biden administration in a prisoner swap.
The legislation is a response to Iran’s support of the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, which launched a brutal attack in Israel on October 7th killed 1,200 people.
The law now heads to the Democratically controlled Senate where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not said if he will bring it up for a vote.
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) said he “proudly” voted in favor of the measure and called out the Biden administration for showing “weakness on the issue.”
My statement on the “No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act” ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wsL03rzxeh
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) November 30, 2023
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) argued that the bill prevents Iran from getting “another blank check to finance terrorism.”
The Biden Admin has enriched Iran to the tune of $6B by waiving sanctions.
I just voted to pass H.R. 5961, The No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, with many of my @HouseGOP colleagues, to prevent Iran from getting another blank check to finance terrorism.
— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) November 30, 2023
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) said he voted for the bill because waving sanctions like this “puts lives in danger across the world.”
President Biden's waiving of sanctions on Iran, the leading state sponsor of terrorism, puts lives in danger across the world.
Tonight, @HouseGOP PASSED legislation that would freeze the $16 billion in sanctioned assets Biden recently provided to Iran.
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) November 30, 2023
Earlier this week, the House also passed a resolution that affirms Israel’s right to exist, which U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said is proof that “America will always stand with Israel.”
Last night, the House overwhelmingly voted to reaffirm the State of Israel’s right to exist and to call on Hamas to release the hostages immediately. I was proud to stand with my colleagues on these measures. America will always stand with Israel.
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) November 29, 2023
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee