We must stand firm against aggression

By U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman
R-Arkansas

Roughly six months after the brutal attacks by the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists, the world watched as Iran launched its own direct and unprecedented attack on Israel. As our closest ally in the Middle East faces more threats to their very existence, it’s important now more than ever that Congress stands up to authoritarian aggression to support Israel.

While I’m sure words of well wishes for our ally are appreciated, it’s sound and expeditious policy that will make an impact in Israel’s fight to defend itself. That’s why House Republicans acted swiftly this week to bring a slate of bills, including several I cosponsored, to stand with Israel and respond to Iran’s heinous attacks.

It’s known that Iran is one of the world’s foremost sponsors of terrorism. Yet, in 2008, the Obama Administration set an unruly precedent of appeasing Iran, which Biden has compounded since he took office.

Most recently, as the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists were planning their attacks, the Biden Administration waived sanctions to allow $6 billion in Iranian funds to be transferred to banks in Qatar and later reissued a waiver that gave Iran access to more than $10 billion. 

The Iranian regime is highly skilled in evasion, cutting corners, and blurring lines to hide the true use of these funds, and the Biden Administration is compliant and complicit in these efforts. Any funding given to Iran, even if nominally in a restricted account, frees up funds for them to use on malign activities. Iran is too potent a threat for these waivers to exist any longer, so the House voted to pass a bill I cosponsored, H.R. 5947, to eliminate any waivers and licenses related to Iran that would allow Biden to take such actions again.

I will not stand by while the Biden Administration continues to show weakness on the world stage. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance comprehensive policies to prioritize the security of the U.S. and our allies.

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