District Update | September 24, 2015
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U.S. Congressman French Hill
Dear Friends,

Like many of you, I am extremely concerned by the Administration's nuclear agreement with Iran. Implementation of the agreement is a direct threat to the safety and security of America and many of her allies throughout the world, particularly Israel.

Two weeks ago, in an attempt to block the agreement, the U.S. House of Representatives held three separate votes. Under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, the President was required to provide Congress with the entire agreement, including any side deals made between Iran and other parties (e.g. the International Atomic Energy Agency), at which time Congress would have 60 days to review the agreement. I believe the Administration failed to comply with the law and once again is prepared to move forward with a major policy without congressional approval.

To voice my opposition to the President's actions and the nuclear agreement, I voted in favor of H.Res. 411, which finds that the President did not comply with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, voted in favor of H.R. 3460, to prohibit the President from lifting sanctions on Iran, and voted against H.R. 3461, which would have approved the agreement.

In a video message last week, I detailed my staunch opposition to the agreement. Please watch the video and share your thoughts on Facebook about the Administration's decision to negotiate such a favorable deal for the world's largest state sponsor of terror. 

I also released a second video message on another area of disappointment surrounding the agreement: my belief that the Administration failed to use this as a way to free the four Americans held captive in Iran.

Robert Levinson, a retired FBI agent, disappeared in 2007 under suspicious circumstances and is being held hostage in Iran. Amir Hekmati, a retired U.S. Marine with dual Iranian citizenship, was visiting his grandmother in Iran in 2011 when he was arrested and charged with spying. Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter, has been imprisoned for over a year after being charged with espionage and spying for the CIA. Saeed Abedini, a Christian pastor, has been imprisoned since 2012 for spreading his faith.

Each of these men faces constant torture and appalling living conditions, and they have little chance for a fair trial. This has been a frustratingly underreported aspect of the agreement, and I will do everything in my power to continue to hold the Administration's feet to the fire to bring these Americans home.

I will also continue to support efforts such as Radio Free Iran, which is one of the last remaining sources of uncensored news and information in the country. We should be supportive of the people of Iran and their efforts to chart a future free from terror and oppression. Talking with Iran is good, but we have to have the right outcomes from these visits, and this agreement, in my view, will result in a very bad outcome.

Fundamental American values, among which are commitments to religious freedom and human rights, have been critical components of U.S. foreign policy, and they should remain critical components of all conversations with Iran moving forward.

My thoughts and prayers are with Robert Levinson, Amir Hekmati, Jason Rezaian, Saeed Abedini, and their families.

Sincerely,


Representative French Hill
Washington, DC Office
1229 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2506
Fax: (202) 225-5903
Conway Office
1105 Deer Street, Suite 12
Conway, AR 72032
Phone: (501) 358-3481
Fax: (501) 358-3494
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1501 N. University Ave., Suite 150
Little Rock, AR 72207
Phone: (501) 324-5941
Fax: (501) 324-6029
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