Rep. Steil Demands Explanation From Biden Administration Regarding $10 Billion Payment to Iran

President Joe Biden is being asked to answer for his administration’s reissuing a sanctions waiver on Iran, despite allegations of its potential ties to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.

House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., wants answers on the Biden administration’s reissuing the sanctions waiver allowed Tehran to access up to $10 billion worth of restricted funds.

“On Nov. 13, 2023, your administration allowed the Islamic Republic of Iran, the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism, access to previously restricted funds,” Steil wrote in a letter to Biden after introducing legislation to end financing for Hamas and state sponsors of terror.

This follows the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by one of Iran’s terrorist proxies, Hamas, frequent Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi rocket fire on Israeli civilians, and attacks by Iranian proxies on American service members.

“I am deeply troubled by this decision, and we urge you to reconsider,” Steil wrote.

Steil called the Biden’s administration’s public explanations for the waiver to be “insufficient.”

“The timing of this waiver is exceptionally alarming,” his letter added. “Iran has financed Hamas and other regional proxies, and reports indicate Iran’s continued investment in nuclear, missile, and drone programs.

“The Islamic Republic has not ceased in its enmity towards the sole Jewish and democratic state in the Middle East, nor have its threats against U.S. interests and security diminished. On the contrary, we have seen Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria escalate hostilities in recent weeks with over 61 attacks on U.S. troops in the region.”

Steil and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., introduced the End Financing for Hamas and State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (H.R. 6632) to disrupt the ability of Hamas to fund terrorism and violence, along with hampering state sponsors of terrorism like Iran, to abuse International Monetary Fund (IMF) resources to finance terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.

“This week, @POTUS allowed Iran access to $10 billion,” Steil posted recently on X. “The administration continues to give the largest state sponsor of terrorism access to funds.

“Iran uses the money to support terrorism around the globe. We must enforce sanctions now.”

Steil’s bill prohibits the U.S. Treasury Department from using the Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) to exchange Special Drawing Rights (SDR) with or to benefit a state sponsor of terrorism. It also requires the Secretary of the Treasury to work with the Group of Seven (G7) to develop a strategy to ensure Hamas is incapable of financing armed hostilities against Israel.

“Iran has a central role in funding Hamas and other terrorist groups that seek to destroy Israel, kill Jews, and attack American personnel throughout the region,” Steil wrote in statement announcing the legislation. “This underscores the urgent need to use every financial tool in our box to deny the largest state sponsor of terrorism revenue.

“This bill will weaken Iran’s ability to continue to fund violent extremists like Hamas and Hezbollah and ensure atrocities like what we witnessed on Oct. 7 never happen again.”