Katie Britt calls Biden Administration $6 billion payout to Iran “shameful”

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) released a statement condemning the deal with Iran after the Biden Administration formally notified Congress that it will unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian assets and release five Iranians currently detained by the United States in exchange for the return of five Americans currently being held captive.

“The deal itself is shameful enough. But the Biden Administration choosing today of all days to notify Congress that the President is handing $6 billion to the biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world just adds insult to injury,” Senator Britt wrote. “This irresponsible, weak appeasement sends a terrible message across the globe and only incentivizes further hostage-taking in the future. There is no doubt that President Biden’s actions once again endanger our national security and dishonor the sacrifice of American men and women who have fought valiantly for our country.”

The deal itself is shameful enough. But that the Biden Administration chose today of all days to notify Congress the President is handing $6 billion to the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world just adds insult to injury. https://t.co/z2wVay2v8L

— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) September 11, 2023

“If we’re paying a billion dollars per kidnapped individual, then you’re going to see more kidnappings,” said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah). “That’s why you don’t negotiate with terrorists; that’s why you don’t negotiate with kidnappers. The idea of basically paying to release, in this effect, a hostage is a terrible idea.”

“It’s ridiculous for US to be blackmailed into paying $6B for hostages which will help indirectly finance the number 1 foreign policy of Iran: terrorism,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wrote. “Last time it was $1.7B traded for hostages next time it will probably be $10B the price keeps going up & up.”

It’s ridiculous for US to be blackmailed into paying $6B for hostages which will help indirectly finance the number 1 foreign policy of Iran: terrorism Last time it was $1.7B traded for hostages next time it will probably be $10B the price keeps going up & up

— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 11, 2023

Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week issued the sanction waiver to allow the frozen Iranian funds to move from South Korea to Qatar, which Iran could then use.

“I determine that it is in the national security interest of the United States to waive the imposition of sanctions … with respect to foreign financial institutions under the primary jurisdiction of Germany, Ireland, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland that are notified directly in writing by the U.S. government, to the extent necessary for such institutions to engage in transactions occurring on or after August 9, 2023,” Blinken wrote.

Last month, Senator Britt joined a group of 25 Republican colleagues in demanding answers from the Biden Administration about the specifics of the proposed deal with Iran.

Katie Britt was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022 after working as an attorney, the President and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), and as former Senator Richard Shelby’s chief of staff.

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