House OKs Pfluger’s bill ending administration’s waivers of sanctions against Iran

The U.S. House of Representatives on April 17 voted 259-160 to advance legislation led by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) and cosponsored by 131 Republicans that would terminate certain U.S. waivers of sanctions and licenses for Iran.

“I am proud that the House passed my bill to stop the flow of money into Iran’s war machine and help protect Israel,” said Rep. Pfluger on the House floor in support of H.R. 5947, which the congressman sponsored in October 2023.

Specifically, H.R. 5947 would terminate the presidential waiver of certain sanctions on Iran and the licenses issued by the Treasury Department that allowed for the transfer of previously blocked Iranian funds, namely, the roughly $6 billion of Iranian funds that the Biden administration permitted to be transferred from restricted accounts in South Korea to restricted accounts in Qatar to facilitate the release of five U.S. citizens detained in Iran. 

Furthermore, H.R. 5947 also states that the president may not exercise waiver authority related to certain accounts belonging to Iran, according to the congressional record bill summary.

“Americans deserve leaders who unequivocally stand against terror and with our ally Israel, not those who facilitate Tehran’s access to billions of dollars,” Rep. Pfluger said. “When it comes to foreign policy, President Biden has gotten it wrong every single time. His strategy of appeasement has made our country less safe and emboldened our adversaries to attack U.S. allies around the world.”

The measure now heads to the U.S. Senate for action.

“I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation, to stop the flow of money into Iran’s war machine, and to help protect Israel,” said Rep. Pfluger.