Kirk to Hold September 21st Hearing to Examine Iran Cash-for-Hostages Links to Terror Financing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Chairman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance, today announced an oversight hearing on the terror financing dangers of the Administration’s three airlift payments to the Iranian regime totaling $1.7 billion in difficult-to-trace foreign cash as part of a quid pro quo for the January 2016 release of American hostages.

The hearing will be held on September 21st at 10:30 a.m. The Senate Banking Subcommittee has oversight of the Treasury Department, Iran sanctions laws, and terrorist financing. “Americans deserve to know if any U.S. taxpayer money is ending up in the hands of Iranian-backed terrorists,” Senator Kirk said. “This hearing will bring transparency to the $1.7 million foreign cash payment sent to Iran for the release of American hostages.” Confirmed witnesses so far are: The Honorable Michael B. Mukasey, Former Attorney General of the United States; and The Honorable Eric S. Edelman, Counselor, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, Co-Chair, Iran Task Force at JINSA Gemunder Center, and Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; and Ms. Suzanne Maloney, Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, and Senior Fellow, Center for Middle East Policy, Energy Security and Climate Initiative, The Brookings Institute. Additional witnesses may be announced at a later date.