Sen. Tim Scott is the only GOP presidential candidate with federal sway over a U.S. response to Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel. And he’s using it to levy penalties on Iran.
The South Carolina Republican is working on a bill that would immediately freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets held in Qatar that were unlocked as part of a prisoner swap in September, according to a person familiar with the legislation.
His plan would also require the Treasury Department to study Iranian assets worldwide so Congress can pass legislation to restrict access to those funds should the U.S. want to further curb Iran’s influence.
Not only is Scott the only member of Congress running for president, he also has a prime perch to go after Iran and Hamas as ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee. The panel’s chair, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, said on Wednesday that “as we work to hold anyone who supports terrorism accountable, the administration must freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets.”