Green Bay Reporter

Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and nearly 100 of his colleagues have sent a bipartisan letter to President Biden, urging him to take action to prevent Iran from accessing billions of dollars that could be used to support terrorist attacks against Israel. The members expressed concerns over Iran's continued support for terrorist groups, including Hamas, and their attempts to wipe Israel off the map.

The letter states, "Your administration recently released $6 billion in frozen funds to Iran in return for American hostages. Our concern is that the Iranian regime will use all available financial tools to further fuel this war against Israel, fund other terrorist proxies in the region such as Hezbollah, and accelerate Iran's nuclear build-up. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi put it plainly that the funds would be used 'wherever we need it.'"

The members of Congress are particularly alarmed by recent reports of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) involvement in planning and giving the "final go-ahead" for Hamas's terrorist war on Israel. They believe that if left unaddressed, the Iranian regime's support for terrorist groups and attempts to wipe Israel off the map will only grow more brazen and destabilizing for the region.

The letter also highlights the statements made by Iran's supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who stated that Israel will be eradicated at the hands of the Palestinian people and the resistance forces throughout the region. Iran's United Nation's mission even claimed that the actions taken by Hamas, including rape, kidnapping, torture, bombings, and murder, constitute a wholly legitimate defense.

To prevent Iran from accessing funds to further subsidize terrorism, the members of Congress are requesting immediate action from President Biden. They are calling for the freezing of the $6 billion provided in exchange for hostages, as well as the $10 billion in released funds based in Iraq. They also want the enforcement of sanctions on Iranian oil exports to China and the prevention of Iran from accessing any further Special Drawing Rights from the International Monetary Fund.

In their letter, the members of Congress emphasize their commitment to supporting Israel's security. They are ready to work with President Biden to back up this sentiment with strong, bipartisan legislative and executive action. Denying the terrorist-sponsoring regime in Tehran access to funds that can export chaos is seen as an essential step in this direction.

The letter concludes, "Mr. President, this weekend you said: 'In my administration, support for Israel's security is rock solid and unwavering.' We share that sentiment and stand ready to work with you to back it up with strong, bipartisan legislative and executive action."

The bipartisan call led by Representative Gallagher demonstrates a united front in urging President Biden to re-freeze funds released to Iran in order to prevent further funding of terrorist activities.

Click this link to access more information: https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/gallagher-leads-bipartisan-call-president-biden-re-freeze-funds-released-iran