Cotton tries blocking Iran funds
Most GOP senators, 9 Democrats support freeze on $6B
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., attempted Tuesday to pass legislation blocking Iran from accessing frozen assets, a move stemming from Hamas’ surprise attack against Israel earlier this month.
Cotton and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., introduced a measure on Oct. 11 to prevent Iran from receiving the $6 billion transfer. The money had been in South Korean banks because of American sanctions, but the assets were moved to a Qatari account as part of an exchange to release five detained Americans.
Cotton moved Tuesday to pass the bill through unanimous consent, a procedure in which senators can request to expedite proceedings as long as another senator does not raise any objections.
“The last thing we should do is give Iran another $6 billion in a dangerous ransom payment for American hostages,” the senator from Little Rock said Tuesday on the Senate floor.
Cotton and other lawmakers have leveled criticisms against the Biden administration and the transfer in the days after Hamas militants attacked Israel. Fighters killed more than 1,400 people. U.S. officials have confirmed 30 Americans have died amid the Israeli-Hamas war.
White House officials have said there is no direct evidence connecting Iran to Hamas’ attack while acknowledging Iran’s support for Hamas and other terrorist networks.
“None of the funds that have now gone to Qatar have actually been spent or accessed in any way by Iran,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters Thursday.
Cotton expressed doubts about blocking Iran from accessing these assets.
“Color me skeptical of a ‘quiet understanding’ between a soft-on-Iran Joe Biden and a soft-on-Hamas government of Qatar,” he said, “especially since the administration refuses to freeze the funds and reserves the right to release the $6 billion at any time without notifying Congress or the public.”
Most Senate Republicans — including Sen. John Boozman of Rogers — co-sponsored the bill. Cotton stated on the floor that nine Democratic colleagues support the freeze. Cotton mentioned some senators, including West Virginia’s Joe Manchin and Montana’s Jon Tester, have “difficult campaigns” in next year’s election.
Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., objected to passing the bill by unanimous consent. Speaking after Cotton, Welch said the Biden administration made a “tough decision” to pursue a hostage release.
“I would disagree with my colleague when he says that decision in any way indicates weakness or lack of resolve on behalf of President Biden towards what is happening and has happened to Israel,” Welch said. “There is no better friend to Israel than President Joe Biden.”
If Iran receives the funds, it must use the money for humanitarian purposes such as medical care and food accessibility. Welch said the U.S. government has the authority to approve expenditures with these funds, and congressional action blocking the funds would be disrespectful toward the United States’ relationship with Qatar.
“Yes, we have an adversary in Iran with the ayatollahs,” he said. “There are Iranians who are suffering and do need medicine, and our beef is not with the people. It’s with that government.”
Cotton met Welch during the former’s one term representing Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. Welch served in the House over 16 years that ended in January upon being sworn in as senator.
“Paying $6 billion for five American hostages — $1.2 billion for [each of the] hostages — simply encourages more hostage taking,” Cotton said.
“We can’t be so naïve as to think that we’ve made this deal and we got the hostages back, so we have to give Iran the benefit of the bargain as if you can deal in good faith with a terror regime like Iran.”
Cotton sent a letter last week to Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking the United States to authorize special operation forces to rescue Americans held hostage by Hamas. The senator sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging the deportation of foreign nationals who support Hamas.
Biden will travel to Israel today. Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman Safadi called off a summit with Biden and other regional leaders following a deadly blast at a Gaza hospital.
“Yes, we have an adversary in Iran with the ayatollahs. There are Iranians who are suffering and do need medicine, and our beef is not with the people. It’s with that government.”
— Tom Cotton