Political Quotes

“I want to thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. Mr. Chairman, back in June of 2015, President Obama said: ``It is United States policy to deny hostage-takers the benefits of ransom, prisoner releases, policy changes, or other acts of concession.'' That was back in 2015. Of course, just 6 months later, President Obama released seven Iranians and sent $400 million in cash to Iran in exchange for Americans held hostage. When the initial word came out that $400 million was sent in unmarked bills on an unmarked plane to, in essence, exchange that money for American hostages, it sent a chilling signal all across the world. Not only was the administration completing a prisoner swap, but the administration was actually cowering to the Iranians' request for a cash payment. $400 million was converted into European currency, flown through Geneva, and then transferred to Iran just as the American hostages were released. But what we heard from the White House were denials, actually calling us out, saying it wasn't a ransom payment, despite the clearly coordinated series of events. Mr. Chairman, nonetheless, we learn that the President's own Justice Department warned that this cash payment would signal a change in U.S. ransom policy and, of course, the Iranians themselves consider it a ransom payment. In fact, the Iranians bragged that they received cash ransom from the United States.…”