House Republicans have written legislation that would urge the Biden administration to refreeze billions in Iranian oil assets and push for the enforcement of a Trump administration-era law.
One facet of the measure, which was obtained by The Washington Times, would press President Biden to refreeze $6 billion in Iranian oil revenues that were unfrozen as part of a prisoner-swap deal earlier this year.
The resolution will test House Democrats’ support for Mr. Biden’s deal with Iran. Criticism of the deal reemerged after Hamas terrorists, who have long been backed by Iran, launched a ruthless attack on Israel on Saturday that has killed more than 1,300 people in the Jewish state.
“Hamas is a terrorist organization backed by Iran, period,”
Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican sponsoring the bill, said on MSNBC.
The $6 billion that was unfrozen has not been directly linked to Hamas. The Biden administration has stood its ground that while Iran played a role in the attack in a “broad sense,” the money will be relegated to humanitarian aid.
The bill’s text argued that money “is fungible” and that releasing the frozen assets to Iran would “free up money to be spent on whatever.”
Rep. Ryan Zinke, Montana Republican and a co-sponsor of the bill, said the bill should be an “overwhelmingly bipartisan” measure.
“All my Israeli friends are saying, ‘Look, this is what happens when America doesn’t lead,’” Mr. Zinke told The Washington Times.
He said the Hamas attacks and urgent need to refreeze the Iranian assets are the result of President Biden’s “rudderless” Middle East policy.
The bill also calls for the White House to enforce the Trump administration’s Taylor Force Act, which prohibits U.S. aid from going to the Palestinian Authority until the Palestinian government halts payments to the Martyrs’ Fund, which rewards families of terrorists.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are mobilizing on legislation to refreeze the $6 billion. The bill was authored by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas.
The outcry against Mr. Biden’s deal with Iran spread to Democratic lawmakers such as Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia and bolsters the bill’s chances in the Democrat-led chamber.
The House GOP’s bill is not going anywhere until Republicans in the lower chamber elect a new speaker of the House.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana clinched the nomination for the job after a closed-door vote Wednesday. But continued division in the conference halted a possible floor vote later in the day.
Mr. Zinke said that the bill would likely be introduced as soon as the House elects a speaker.
“For the love of god let’s get a speaker,” he said.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.