Political Quotes

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, in closing, let me say this: None of us likes the Government of Iran. None of us likes the idea of making payments to Iran, but this bill imposes a blanket ban on most forms of payment of our international obligations. Let me just say that the Algiers Accords, which were signed 35 or 40 years ago, President Ronald Reagan, and President George H.W. Bush did the same thing that President Obama is doing now by making payments to Iran. There are things that gall us, but there are international obligations that we really have to follow through with. {time} 1845 It wasn't a matter and isn't a matter of giving money for hostages. We know this was part of a larger transaction. In fact, it was Iran's money that we held back; and we didn't release their money until we knew that those hostages were free. So I think it was pretty shrewd on our part to wait and use their money to hold back until the hostages were released. Again, I think the Government of Iran is a terrible government. I think there are lots of things we could and should be doing together to put the skids on them. And we will be developing legislation together. But this legislation, to me, is more about poking a finger in the eye of the President and the eye of the administration by using words like ``ransom'' and saying all kind of things. That is not really what we should be doing.…”