Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) issued this statement in response to the Wall Street Journal’s report on the Obama administration’s $400 million cash payment airlifted to Iran the same day Iran released American prisoners:

“The logistics of this payment – literally delivering a plane full of cash to evade U.S. law – shows yet again the extraordinary lengths the Obama administration will go to accommodate Iran, all while hiding the facts from Congress and the American people.  Hundreds of millions in the pockets of a terrorist regime means a more dangerous region, period.  And paying ransom only puts more American lives in jeopardy.  We already know the Iran nuclear deal was a historic mistake.  It keeps getting worse.  What else is the Obama administration hiding?” 

NOTE: In February, Chairman Royce sent a letter to Secretary Kerry requesting detailed information about the administration’s handling of a $1.7 billion payment to Iran.  Following an incomplete reply, the Chairman sent a follow-up urging the administration to comply with Congressional inquiries.  In particular, Chairman Royce asked for detailed information on how the payment was processed and delivered to Iran.  To date the administration has not responded.

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