$6 billion Biden promised to Iran BLOCKED by House in bipartisan vote

The US House has blocked the transfer of $6 billion in frozen funds to Iran. The money, being held in Qatar, was part of a hostages-for-prisoners swap deal in September. However, the funds transfer was paused by Qatar, where the funds are being held, and the US, after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

Iran hs been accused of aiding Hamas in the planning of that attack, which was in the works for two years, and of having green-lit the attack only a week or so before it was carried out. Even so, the Biden admin said they did not intend to refreeze the funds.

The bill, called the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, was passed 307-119 in the House. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) backed the bill, speaking on the floor about the necessity of holding Biden accountable for his terrible foreign policy where Iran is concerned. He further said that the deal "incentivizes more hostage-taking."

The bill is "To freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran, and for other purposes." It cites unclassified documents pertaining to a US government assessment of Iran's funding of terrorism, which read "Iran has historically provided up to $100 million annually in combined support to Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian-General Command."

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have been classified as terrorist organizations by the US. The bill also cites National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's remarks on October 10, only days after the attack on Israel.

"Iran is complicit in this attack in a broad sense because they have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas, they have provided capabilities, they have provided support, and they have provided engagement and contact with Hamas over years and years," Sullivan said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the government, as yet, had "not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack."

In making the hostages-for-prisoners swap deal, with the add-on of $6 billion in frozen funds for Iran, the Biden administration had said that the funds were only to be used for humanitarian endeavours. However, even if Iran were to abide by that condition, the added $6 billion for humanitarian aid opens up their budget in other areas to spend on other activities. 

The measure is not anticipated to receive a favorable welcome in the US Senate, and is unlikely to pass.
 

No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act by The Post Millennial on Scribd