Berks County News

Today, Congressman Dan Meuser from Pennsylvania introduced a new piece of legislation called the Freezing and Halting of Any More Alleviation of Sanctions Act (Freezing HAMAS Act). This bill aims to re-freeze $6 billion that was previously released by the Biden Administration to Iran. The release of these funds has been a point of contention due to Iran's status as a major state sponsor of terrorism and its support for Hamas.

The introduction of this legislation follows the Biden Administration's decision not to publicly re-freeze the funds or address Iran’s alleged involvement in actions attributed to Hamas. The proposed bill seeks not only to freeze these funds but also to prevent any further lifting of sanctions or relief measures for Iran by the current administration.

Congressman Meuser stated, “The Biden Administration has an inexplicable affection for Iran, despite the country being the number one funding source for proxy and direct terrorism around the world. Iran hates America and Israel, and Biden’s willingness to continue working with them is unfathomable. Iran is wholly complicit in the atrocities committed by Hamas, and we cannot sit by and allow this Administration’s appeasement strategy to continue putting lives at risk. My legislation ensures Iran doesn’t have an additional $6 billion in their coffers to pursue terror and prohibits this Administration from lifting sanctions or providing further aid to Iran.”

The bill has garnered support from several original cosponsors including Representatives Guy Reschenthaler, Nicole Malliotakis, Byron Donalds, Tracey Mann, William Timmons, Erin Houchin, Bryan Steil, Rudy Yakym, Don Bacon, Ralph Norman, Claudia Tenney, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

Additionally, the Freezing HAMAS Act serves as companion legislation to a similar bill presented in the Senate by Senators Cotton and McConnell.