This bill would prohibit the president from paying final judgments, awards, or any other legal remunerations to Iran until: Tehran returned any money the U.S. transferred to it after 1/1/16; satisfied all outstanding judgments against it in U.S. courts; and compensated the hostages seized at the U.S. Embassy on 11/4/1979. Once these conditions were satisfied, the bill would require the president to certify to Congress that any payments to Iran would not be used for supporting acts of terror; and require the director of national intelligence to submit to Congress a report on funds paid to Iran after 1/1/16. Furthermore, the president would be directed to impose sanctions on any Iranian person involved in the kidnapping of a U.S. citizen on or after 3/9/07, and prohibited from paying ransom for any U.S. citizens kidnapped in Iran or by any other state sponsor of international terrorism.
The Obama administration transferred $400 m. to Iran on 1/16/16, the same day Iran released 4 U.S. prisoners. Congressional Republicans defined the payment as a “ransom,” and this bill was part of their yearlong effort to censure the president.
9 cosponsors (9R).
See also: identical bill S. 3285 of 9/6/16.
Last major action: 9/15/16 referred to House Subcomm. on Immigration and Border Security.