VALENTINE, NEB. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement today after the State Department confirmed a $400 million cash payment to Iran was tied to the release of American prisoners:

“After seven months of denial from this administration, today it became clear that there was a direct link between the release of American hostages and the transfer of $400 million in cash to the world’s leading state sponsor of terror. The perception of a ransom payment has been replaced by the reality of one. Americans around the world are at increased risk because of this dangerous decision by the Obama administration.”

At a State Department press briefing today, State Department spokesman John Kirby confirmed that a $400 million cash payment to Iran was contingent upon the release of four American hostages. The administration had previously denied that the payment was connected to the prisoners’ release.

Senator Fischer has been working to cast light on troubling financial transactions with Iran. Recently, she joined Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) to introduce the Judgment Fund Transparency and Terrorism Financing Prevention Act. The bill would allow for increased congressional oversight of payments out of the Judgment Fund, such as this payment to Iran. 

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