Headline Roundup • October 17th, 2023
Bipartisan Group Pushes Biden to Cut Off Iranian Funding Sources
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A bipartisan group of 113 U.S. House members is pushing President Joe Biden to cut off Iranian funding sources.
Key Details: Sixty-three House Democrats and 50 House Republicans sent a letter to Biden urging him to take a stronger stance against Iran in the midst of the war between Israel and Hamas. The lawmakers are asking him to take "any and all steps" to end Iran's oil trade with China and to fully enforce all U.S. trade sanctions with Iran.
Key Quote: "Iran must be held fully accountable for its continued role in funding Hamas and Islamic terror," the bipartisan letter reads. "We urge the Administration to take all necessary steps to cut off Iranian funding sources."
For Context: The bipartisan push comes as the war between Hamas and Israel enters its tenth day. Biden has reiterated support for Israel while managing fallout at home, including how rising gas prices may increase further next year if Iran's oil sales are restricted.
How the Media Covered it: Sources across the spectrum highlighted the bipartisanship behind the push to cut off Iranian funding sources. Some framed Democrats as being split on the conflict, and some right-rated outlets also noted the standstill facing the House as it seeks to fill the vacant speakership.
Featured Coverage of this Story

Alex Brandon/AP
A bipartisan group of some 110 House members are encouraging the White House to take a firmer stance against Iran in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks on Israel last week.
“Iran must be held fully accountable for its continued role in funding Hamas and Islamic terror,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden. “We urge the Administration to take all necessary steps to cut off Iranian funding sources.”
The letter includes 63 Democrats and 50 Republicans. The group wrote it supports “every tool available to defeat radical...
Over 60 House Democrats joined Republicans to call on President Joe Biden to take a stronger stance against Iran as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.
"Iran must be held fully accountable for its continued role in funding Hamas and Islamic terror," the bipartisan letter reads. "We urge the Administration to take all necessary steps to cut off Iranian funding sources."
"All necessary steps" suggested included the "maximum enforcement" of U.S. sanctions and the end of Iran's oil trade with China. The bipartisan group also encouraged Biden to work with European allies to renew ballistic missile sanctions when the Joint Comprehensive Plan of...
President Joe Biden is facing new pressure from Democratic lawmakers to strengthen his stance on dealing with Iran following Hamas' attack on Israel earlier in October.
Biden's approach to Iranian relations faced new scrutiny following reports that Hamas allegedly coordinated with Tehran before the militant group's October 7 attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets against the country while also attacking from land, air and sea from Gaza.
Israel subsequently launched its heaviest airstrikes against Gaza with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying his country was "at war" and cutting off supplies of food, fuel, electricity...
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