GOP senators want to freeze money for Iran and facilitate aiding Israel

Senate Republicans are introducing legislation to permanently freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets that was recently released by the U.S. as President Joe Biden heads to Israel Wednesday.

“It is perplexing why this administration refuses to issue a formal decision to freeze the $6 billion,” said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) during a press conference on Tuesday morning. “We need to ensure not another dollar goes to Iran.”

BIDEN SHIFTS FOCUS AWAY FROM DOMESTIC AFFAIRS AS ISRAEL WAR INTENSIFIES

The senators are also urging the administration to immediately end U.S. aid to Palestinians in Gaza, arguing it ultimately falls into the hands of Hamas.

The assets were released to Iran through Qatar as part of a prisoner exchange.

Last week, the U.S. and Qatar reached an agreement to prevent Iran from accessing the funding. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told lawmakers last week in a briefing that the money “isn’t going anywhere any time soon,” according to those familiar with the discussions. However, Republican senators are still unhappy with that response.

“The administration is at least backing away from that ill-advised move, but I think we need to make that, codify that, and put that into law,” said Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the Senate’s No. 2 Republican. “There will be an attempt to do that and get unanimous consent to permanently freeze that $6.6 billion that was going to be made available to Iran.”

News of a plan to bring aid to Palestinians in Gaza came in the same announcement that the president plans to travel to Israel on Wednesday. Blackburn also called for the Biden administration to reconsider sending humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

“We are learning that President Biden’s trip to Israel tomorrow was intentionally not announced until Secretary Blinken received assurances from Netanyahu on a humanitarian aid package for Palestine,” Blackburn said during the press conference. “The U.S. should not place conditions for our support for Israel because of demands made by the Squad.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Blackburn went on to say she plans to introduce legislation to halt all funding intended for the United Nations relief agency overseeing aid to Palestinian refugees, citing reports accusing Hamas of stealing humanitarian supplies. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency deleted a social media post on Monday in which they made the accusation that resources were stolen.

“I’ll be introducing legislation to halt all funding for them until Iran is expelled from the U.N. and investigated for violations,” she said.