U.S. Senator Katie Britt Releases Statement on Biden Administration Allowing Iranian President to Visit the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 18, 2023 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s decision to allow Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to enter the United States for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City this week.

“This disgraceful decision is the latest in a long line of dangerous appeasement by the Biden Administration. Just two days ago, Iran reportedly expelled several senior International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors from the country. Now, President Biden is sending a clear message to the world that the United States of America tolerates terrorism. On the very same day that the Biden Administration hands $6 billion to the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, the President chooses to allow the unapologetic leader of this ruthless regime into our country. This weakness endangers our national security, insults the Americans and allies struck by Iranian-backed terrorism across the globe, and abandons oppressed people in Iran who hunger for liberty, peace, and safety. We achieve peace through strength, not placation. The safety and security of all Americans is gravely imperiled by President Biden’s continued blunders on the global stage,” said Senator Britt.

Last week, Senator Britt joined a group of four Republican colleagues in sending a letter reproaching President Raisi’s visit last month to the home of Asadollah Assadi, a convicted known terrorist. The letter expressed concern over President Raisi’s record of publicly tolerating terrorism and continued threats against American officials, and urged the Biden Administration to deny visas to President Raisi and his staff at UNGA.

Joining Senator Britt in sending the letter were U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).

Senator Britt has been outspoken in her disapproval of the ransom to Iran earlier this month, calling the unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian assets an “irresponsible, weak appeasement.” Ahead of this recent decision, Senator Britt joined a group of 25 Republican colleagues last month in demanding answers from the Biden Administration about the specifics of the proposed deal with Iran.

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