Bipartisan House vote blocks $6B Biden promised Iran

The transfer of suspended funds amounting to $6 billion to Iran has been obstructed by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The funds, which are currently being held in Qatar, were exchanged in September for prisoners in lieu of hostages, as The Post Millennial reported.

The funds transmission, however, was halted by the United States and Qatar, where the funds are being held, following the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel.

Why the Halt

Iran has been accused of providing assistance to Hamas during the two-year planning phase of that attack, and of approving the plot just one week prior to its execution.

Despite this, the Biden administration has stated that the funds would not be re-frozen.

However, standing in the way of the presidential action is the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, which was approved by the House by a vote of 307-119.

Supporting the measure, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) stated on the House floor that Biden must be held accountable for his appalling foreign policy with regard to Iran. Additionally, he stated that the agreement "incentivizes more hostage-taking."

The legislation is meant "to freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran, and for other purposes."

The Legislation

The document references unclassified materials that contain information regarding a US government assessment of Iran's terrorism financing.

These documents state, "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."

Those groups included Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian-General Command."

The United States has designated Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad as terrorist organizations. Also cited in the bill are the remarks made by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Oct. 10, mere 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.