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Floor Speech

First of all, the Senator from Arkansas speaks for 100 Members of the Senate when he expresses his outrage at the horrendous killings and terrorist acts by Hamas against innocent people in Israel--the worst attack and suffering in Israel since the Holocaust. So the Senator from Arkansas speaks for every single one of us. Second, in his characterization of Iran as a malign actor, their association with Hamas, Hezbollah, the attacks they had on our soldiers when they were in Iraq, I believe the Senator from Arkansas speaks for all 100 of us. He certainly speaks for me. I want to salute the Senator for the time he has spent during his service in the Senate alerting America to the threat that Iran poses. He made that decision, and, with the help of Qatar, we were able to bring five American hostages home.

That is a tough decision, but I would disagree with my colleague when he says that decision in any way indicates weakness or lack of resolve on behalf of President Biden towards what is happening and has happened in Israel. There is no better friend to Israel than President Joe Biden. He has been an ally and supporter of Israel throughout his time of service in the U.S. Senate, as Vice President, and as President of the United States.

I do disagree, but this is not the time to get into a debate about the Senator from Arkansas's characterization of some of the intelligence about what was the role of Iran in what just happened. That is a debate for a separate time.

I also want to disagree with the characterization that this is more money that is going to go to Iran. When this was being negotiated, there was great care given to the fact that this money had to be fenced off so that it could only be used essentially for humanitarian purposes. I am talking about medicine, medical devices, food, and agricultural products.

Let's keep in mind that, yes, we have an adversary in Iran with the ayatollahs, with Iran's Revolutionary Guard, but there are Iranians who are suffering and who do need medicine. And our beef is not with the people; it is with that government.

How are these funds limited? No bank can approve any one of the transactions. This money is not in the hands of Iran. For any money to be released, we have the backup of Qatar, where the funds are deposited. The money cannot be approved for any expenditure to any vendor unless it gets approval from the U.S. Government first. There is constant--constant--monitoring to make certain that the purpose--that it be for humanitarian use only--is met. The United States completely controls the valve of these funds, with the backup of Qatar.

Finally, this would be somewhat insulting to the confidence we placed in Qatar. What diplomatic efforts they may be involved in now for other hostages, I don't know, but we want to express confidence in Qatar, which has assisted us in bringing five Americans home.

Finally, there is the basic proposition--the United States made an agreement here. We got the benefit of that agreement with five Americans back home with their families. Mr. President, we keep our word. We keep our word.

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