WASHINGTON – Following Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend, the House of Representatives passed several pieces of legislation to hold Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement:

“The Biden administration’s strategy of appeasement toward Iran has failed,” said Congressman Valadao. “President Biden freed up $6 billion in Iranian assets last year, which only served to embolden the Iranian regime and their terrorist proxies who wish to do us harm. I voted in support of several bills this week to sanction Iran, designate their proxies as foreign terrorist organizations, and give Congress greater oversight of any administration that tries to weaken sanctions on Iran. We must send a clear message that there will be consequences for attacking American allies.”

The Biden administration has taken several actions that have emboldened Iran, including waiving sanctions to allow $6 billion in Iranian funds to be transferred back to Qatar September of 2023.

Congressman Valadao voted in support of the following bills this week: 

• H.R. 5947, to provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses related to Iran: Eliminates the sanctions waivers used by the Biden administration. The administration has used these waivers to allow the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds to restricted accounts in Qatar. 
• H.Res.1143, Condemning Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel: Condemns Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel and reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense. 
• H.R. 6245, Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act of 2023: Requires the Department of the Treasury to provide a report to Congress on the finances of Iranian leadership as well as require financial institutions to close accounts connected to these individuals. 
• H.R. 6015, Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2023: Requires the President to issue regulations to ensure that humanitarian exemptions involving Iran sanctions do not facilitate acts of international terrorism or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. 
• H.R. 6408, to amend the IRS code to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations: Suspends the tax-exempt status for non-profits that have provided material support to terrorist organizations like Hamas. 
• H.R. 5923, the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023: Targets Chinese financial institutions that conduct transactions involving the purchase of petroleum or petroleum products. 
• H.R. 5921, The No U.S. Financing for Iran Act of 2023: Stems resources available to Iran by prohibiting the Treasury from issuing any licenses authorizing a U.S. financial institution to engage in transactions for trade with Iran, other than humanitarian aid benefiting Iranian citizens. 
• H.R. 4691, Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act: Requires a Congressional review process for the lifting or waiving of sanctions on Iran.
• H.R. 5917, Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act: Reauthorizes recently expired sanctions targeting Hamas' and Hezbollah's use of civilians as human shields. This bill also expands the sanctions to target the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad. 
• H.R. 3033, the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act: Extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (ISA). The ISA forms the core of U.S. statutory sanctions against Iran and is currently set to expire at the end of 2026.
• H.R. 6064, the Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act: Mandates the designation of the Iranian-backed Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. 
• H.R. 6323, the Iran Counterterrorism Act: Requires Iran to cease support for acts of international terrorism as a condition for the President to wave secondary sanctions and provides for a congressional review process for national security interest waivers of these sanctions. 
• H.R. 5826, the No Paydays to Hostage Takers Act: Deters the government of Iran and others from taking U.S. hostages by imposing sanctions and strict penalties