In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the House’s No. 3 Republican, stated that Republicans would do everything in their power to block a potential Harris administration from negotiating another Iran deal. Stefanik cited concerns about the Obama-Biden administration giving hundreds of billions of dollars to Iran, which she claimed are being used to support terrorist proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah. She expressed fears that a Harris administration would be more lenient towards Iran and less inclined to use military deterrence or financial sanctions.
Middle East experts have speculated that Vice President Kamala Harris would be more likely to return to negotiations with Iran in an effort to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons. Harris has previously expressed support for rejoining the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear program. Critics of the Trump administration’s approach to Iran argue that Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the agreement has allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium, potentially bringing them closer to developing nuclear weapons.
In a wide-ranging interview discussing the House GOP’s national security priorities, Stefanik highlighted the party’s efforts to defund the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency and address foreign funding going into universities. She also expressed concerns about the lack of accountability for foreign aid given to Ukraine, with billions of dollars being unaccounted for. Stefanik did not confirm whether the House would authorize more funding for Ukraine or Taiwan once this year’s foreign aid packages are exhausted, but stressed the need for oversight and accountability in the distribution of foreign aid.
Stefanik also touched upon concerns regarding national security threats, specifically in relation to the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has regained control following the withdrawal of U.S. troops. She expressed doubts about the U.S.’s ability to prevent another tragedy like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, citing the threat posed by terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS. She also raised concerns about individuals on the terrorist watch list crossing the U.S. border and emphasized the importance of border security in preventing potential threats to national security.
On the one-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Stefanik emphasized the importance of remembering the victims and heroes of that tragic day. She warned of ongoing threats from terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and security measures to prevent future attacks. Stefanik also criticized the Biden administration’s approach to Iran, expressing concerns about the potential resurgence of terrorist activities and the spread of nuclear weapons in the region. She called for stronger actions to address security threats and safeguard U.S. interests both at home and abroad.
