A bipartisan group of more than 100 House lawmakers is calling on President Biden to take a tough stance against Iran and to hold the country more accountable for its role in the Israel-Hamas war.
“Iran must be held fully accountable for its continued role in funding Hamas and Islamic terror,” the lawmakers wrote to Mr. Biden in a letter. “We urge the administration to take all necessary steps to cut off Iranian funding sources.”
The 63 Democrats and 50 Republicans wrote that the “necessary steps” must include “maximum enforcement” of U.S. sanctions, and ending Iran’s oil trade with China. They also urge the administration to call on European allies to renew “snapback” sanctions on Iran and put pressure on Qatar and Turkey to stop supporting Hamas.
“We support any additional administration measures to ensure Israel has every tool available to defeat radical terror,” the letter stated
The letter is led by Democratic Reps. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Jared Moskowitz of Florida, along with Republican Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Claudia Tenney of New York.
The push comes as the war rages on between Israel and Hamas, following the terrorist group’s surprise attack on America’s ally on Oct. 7.
The U.S. has already made a deal with Qatar to refreeze $6 billion that was set to go to Iran from a prisoner swap deal.
On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, returned from Israel with other bipartisan lawmakers and announced that the Senate will move within days to pass a resolution supporting Israel, which would include funds to help them.
“This package must move quickly, a package of military aid, the necessities that Israel needs,” he said on the Senate floor. “We talked to the leadership of Israel about what they need, and it will be in this package.”
More than 4,000 people have died in total, including 30 U.S. citizens, according to officials.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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