House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Bill to Block Ransoms to Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During today’s House Foreign Affairs Committee markup, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted for H.R. 5931, the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act, to ensure there are no future cash payouts to Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.  The legislation was introduced in response to the Obama Administration’s secretly organized military operation to deliver $400 million to Iran in exchange for the release of detained Americans.[1]  Though the Administration claims the payments, totaling $1.7 billion, are part of a decades old settlement, on August 18, 2016, a Department of State spokesman admitted the initial $400 million cash payment was “leverage” to gain the release of Americans held hostage by Iran.[2]  H.R. 5931 passed out of committee by a vote of 21-16.

Congressman Brooks said, “I applaud Chairman Royce for introducing this legislation following the Obama Administration’s violation of longstanding U.S. policy against ransom payments.”  Brooks continued, “We know that terrorist groups use ransom money to purchase weapons and further recruitment efforts.  These payments to Iran only serve to encourage future kidnappings and finance Islamic terrorism the Administration claims it is combatting.”

Brooks concluded, “The Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act requires greater transparency on future settlements to ensure they are not being used to pay ransom in violation of U.S. policy, for any reason.  I’m pleased this legislation was reported favorably out of committee and I urge my colleagues to bring it to the House floor for a vote.”

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