Wagner Denounces Biden’s Shameful Hostage Deal That Puts Americans at Risk

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s prisoner swap with Iran:

“President Biden’s decision today puts American lives at risk, and we will work to hold him and his administration accountable for his monumental and dangerous failure.  This ‘deal’ is a windfall for the violent and intolerant regime in Tehran, funneling it resources that will only be used to wage a war of terror and fund groups that kill Americans and our allies.  Getting Iran to release American hostages is important, but not at a financial cost that puts millions of lives at risk from Iran being able to expand their nuclear ambitions and continue to fund their terrorist operations worldwide.

"The Administration has significantly hurt international efforts to tighten the screws on Iran for nuclear proliferation, support for terrorist proxies, rampant human rights abuses, and complicity in Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine. We need to be holding accountable countries that seek to destroy peace and security—not rewarding them.

"On the eve of the third anniversary of the historic Abraham Accords, when we should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these nations who face an existential threat from Iran, the Administration is undermining our partners’ confidence in the U.S. commitment to keep each other safe from our common adversary."