Congressman Bryan Steil | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Bryan Steil | Official U.S. House headshot
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) has called on President Biden to enforce financial sanctions on Iran in response to the recent assault on Israel by Iranian-backed terrorist group, Hamas. Steil also demanded answers from the President regarding the administration's approval of a sanctions waiver license that provided Iran with $6 billion.
In his letter to President Biden, Steil emphasized the need for transparency and integrity in the sanctions waiver license process to ensure that the actions of the Executive Branch align with Congressional intent. He highlighted the Banking Transparency for Sanctioned Persons Act that he introduced last year, which increases transparency by requiring the U.S. Treasury Department to regularly report to Congress on sanctions licenses provided for transactions between financial institutions and targeted individuals.
Regarding the recent assault by Hamas, Steil stated, "Over the weekend, the Iranian-backed terrorist group, Hamas, launched an unprecedented assault on Israel. To date, we know of hundreds of civilians who were brutally murdered. Dozens, if not more, have been taken hostage. American citizens are among the victims."
Steil stressed the importance of demonstrating a strong commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and standing against terrorism. He argued that enforcing financial sanctions on Iran would deny revenue to the largest state sponsor of terrorism, limiting their ability to fund groups like Hamas.
Steil also expressed concern over the timing of a sanctions waiver license that allowed $6 billion in Iranian assets held in South Korea to be released to Iran. He pointed out that this waiver was issued just before Hamas launched its attack on Israel. Steil stated, "Arguing that these two events are unrelated strains credulity."
In conclusion, Steil reiterated his call for transparency in the sanctions waiver license process and emphasized the importance of aligning economic and foreign policy goals to prevent rogue regimes like Iran from obtaining resources to fund violence and destruction.
To read the full letter from Congressman Bryan Steil to President Biden, please CLICK HERE.
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To learn more, click on this link: https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-demands-president-biden-enforce-financial-sanctions-on-iran
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