Wagner Grills Administration Officials on Iran Ransom

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Wagner (R-MO-02) questioned officials from the U.S. Departments of State, Justice, and Treasury during an Oversight and Investigations hearing focused on the Obama Administration’s deal with Iran and whether its cash payments to the Iranian government constitute a ransom.

After the hearing, Congresswoman Wagner released the following statement:

“After today’s hearing, it is becoming even more clear that the Obama Administration lied to the American people and sent a cargo plane loaded with $400 million in cash to pay Iran for the release of American hostages and subsequently sent an additional $1.3 billion in cash following the release of the hostages. To believe anything else is inconceivable.

“The Administration on multiple occasions has said they have held up this payment to ensure all of the hostages were on a plane leaving Iran before releasing the cash. While the Administration calls this payment leverage, I call it ransom. Without assurances, they gave Iran a total of $1.7 billion in cash that has reportedly gone into their military budget and perhaps even funded terrorism. While President Obama would like to hide the details behind classified briefings, Congress will get the American people the answers they deserve.”

Watch the hearing clip here: