Washington, D.C. (March 11, 2024) - Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) has urged President Biden not to renew the sanctions waiver that allowed Iran access to $10 billion worth of frozen funds. Rep. Steil is calling on the Biden administration to let the waiver expire this week to re-establish deterrence and increase sanctions pressure to prevent Iran from escalating conflicts in the Middle East.
In a letter addressed to President Biden, Congressman Steil highlighted the ongoing attacks in the region, stating, "Since October 7, Hamas and fellow Iranian proxy, Hezbollah, have continued to attack Israel." He expressed concern over Iran-backed militias engaging in numerous attacks against U.S. personnel and the Houthis' recent attacks on commercial shipping, emphasizing the need to address these threats.
"However, despite these attacks on Americans and our interests, your administration has taken steps to allow Iran access to billions to fund additional terrorist activity that directly threaten Americans," Congressman Steil wrote, urging President Biden to reconsider the waiver. He criticized the administration for rewarding Tehran despite its actions that undermine stability in the region.
Regarding the justification for the waiver, Congressman Steil stated, "Your administration’s stated justification for this $10 billion waiver remains insufficient." He called for a tougher stance on Iran's activities, citing concerns about uranium enrichment, human rights abuses, and support for terror proxies.
This latest demand from Congressman Steil follows previous actions taken to address the issue. In November 2023, he urged President Biden to reverse the decision to grant Iran access to the $10 billion. He had also previously called for financial sanctions on Iran and introduced legislation to increase transparency in sanction licenses provided by the U.S. Treasury Department.
The congressman's efforts reflect a broader push to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions in the region. The full content of the letter can be accessed for further details on the matter.
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