Congressman Jeff Fortenberry

Representing the 1st District of Nebraska

Fortenberry Statement on Ransom Payments to Iran

Sep 23, 2016
Press Release

Lincoln, NE – Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today made the following statement on H.R. 5931, the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act, passed by the House of Representatives last night in a vote of 254 - 163. The legislation states that the United States will not pay ransom for the release of prisoners and prohibits the payment of any government’s currency to the government of Iran.

“We have now learned that 1.7 billion dollars of currency was transferred to the Iranians. This is the stuff of spy novels. The transfer was completed in secret, and more and more information keeps trickling out. It coincided with the release of American hostages, which was widely perceived as a ransom payment. The Justice Department actually warned the White House about this—and now the Iranians are holding three more Americans. This bill prevents any administration from ever again taking actions of this nature."   

Fortenberry serves on the House Appropriations Committee.

 

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