In the News

U.S. Rep. French Hill on Thursday praised passage of HR5931, the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act. The measure, which was supported by all four House members from Arkansas, passed 254-163.

It would prohibit the U.S. from making cash payments to states that are deemed to be sponsors of terrorism.

In a news release, Hill said the legislation makes it clear that the nation won't pay ransom when its citizens are seized overseas.

The Iranian government received $1.7 billion in non-U.S. currency earlier this year, part of a settlement arising from a decades-old arms deal. Iran purchased the weapons but its pro-American government collapsed before they were delivered.

The U.S. sent the first $400 million on the same day that American prisoners were released.

"Whether this was a ransom payment or not is irrelevant, and in handing over cash in exchange for these American hostages, this administration has given bad actors the impression the United States is willing to negotiate and trade money in exchange for hostages," the Little Rock Republican said in a news release.

HR5931 "will make it clear to our enemies throughout the world the United States will not pay ransom," he added.

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