Bonamici Statement on HR 5961

Today I voted against HR 5961, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act. Of course the US should not fund terrorism by Iran or any adversary, but this bill is a misguided and misleading attempt by Republicans to confuse the American public about the deal that the Biden Administration reached earlier this year for the release of American hostages held in Iran. 

This legislation requires the Biden Administration to impose sanctions on foreign financial institutions that facilitate the release of any of the $6 billion in Iranian funds (not US funds) currently held in Qatar as part of the agreement to free five American hostages. The terms of the agreement to release the American hostages required that the funds could only be used for vetted humanitarian purposes such as food, medicine, and medical devices. The humanitarian funds are to be sent directly to vetted suppliers, and those funds never enter Iran. 

This legislation I opposed today would set a dangerous precedent of going back on negotiations to release hostages. If the United States cannot be trusted to follow through on our commitments, it will hinder our ability to conduct future hostage or other negotiations and undermine U.S. diplomatic efforts across the globe.