Washington, DC (September 23, 2016) - Last night, the House passed H.R. 5931 - No More Cash Ransoms to Iran. This bill ensures that no future ransom payments will go to Iran, a country known to foster terrorism:

"There is no question: the United States paid ransom money to Iran. This President blatantly ignored the longstanding policy that the United States does not pay ransom to terrorists. Whether paid to the number one state sponsor of terror, Iran, or any other nation, such ransom payments directly place the lives of every American abroad in jeopardy.

"The United States must stand firm in protecting the safety and security of Americans both at home and abroad. That is exactly what the House did last night - reinforcing the policy that no Administration may pay ransom to nations for the return of American citizens. In one swift action, the House eliminated any incentive to kidnap or target Americans. This bill prohibits cash payments to Iran, reinstates longstanding U.S. policy, and ensures transparency for future settlements. We cannot let this President continue to play politics while putting Americans at risk," said Congressman Pearce.

Background:

January - Administration announced it paid $1.7 billion to settle a dispute over an arms sale that had been going on since 1979. In the same speech, the President said Iran had agreed to a prisoner exchange, releasing American hostages in exchange for seven Iranians serving sentences or awaiting trial for serious crimes. The Administration refused to disclose details but rejected the notion that the agreement constituted ransom, calling it mere "leverage."

August - The President claimed that the reason his Administration paid $400 million of the settlement in cash was because we are "so strict in maintaining sanctions, and we do not have a banking relationship with Iran that we couldn't send them a check or wire money."

September - Foreign Affairs Committee notes the Administration has wired Iran millions of dollars within the past two years.