U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) is supporting legislation introduced this month to authorize additional assistance to Israel by using $6 billion of assets that the Biden Administration confiscated from Iran.
“In light of Hamas’ barbaric attacks on the innocent people of Israel, it’s critical that we deliver military and humanitarian aid to Israel. That’s why I helped introduce the Fortify Israel Act to repurpose the $6 billion that President Biden recently authorized for Iran and instead redirect those funds to Israel,” Rep. Feenstra said.
Feenstra signed on as an original cosponsor of the Fortify Israel Act, H.R. 5932, legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) on Oct. 11.
The bill states that in addition to the $6 billion released to Iran, any current or future Iranian assets seized by the U.S. Treasury Department would be permitted for Israel to use as it fights to defend itself against terrorism, according to a summary of the bill provided by the lawmakers.
H.R. 5932 also prohibits any blocked assets from being released to Iran until all hostilities between Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups and Israel have ceased. The bill also requires that Israel be fully compensated for harms resulting from Hamas’ invasion before any Iranian assets are unfrozen, the summary said.
“In Congress, I will continue to support policies that help Israel defeat Hamas and safeguard their national security,” Feenstra said.