Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Thursday that Democrats would not support any funding effort tied to President Donald Trump’s Iran agreement, accusing Trump of acting out of “incompetence” and “ego” as backlash grew over a proposed $300 billion reconstruction plan for Tehran.
Schumer Says Democrats Will Reject Iran Funding
“The U.S. is worse off because of Trump’s incompetence, his ego, and his inability to listen to facts,” Schumer wrote on X. “If Trump wants to send hundreds of billions of dollars to Iran, he’ll need to do with Republican votes.”
“Democrats will not be helping Trump send $300 billion to Iran,” he added.
Schumer was reacting to a provision in Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran, signed Wednesday by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, that says the U.S. “undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least $300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Trump And Vance Deny Taxpayer Funding Plan
The memorandum leaves the “mechanism for implementation” to 60 days of talks. It also says Washington will grant needed licenses, sanctions waivers, or other permissions.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance sought to reassure critics on Thursday that U.S. taxpayers would not fund the plan. Trump wrote on Truth Social, “There is no 300 Billion Dollar payment to Iran by the U.S. That’s Fake News!” He called the claim Democratic “propaganda.”
Vance told The New York Times that the plan would not be “paid for by American taxpayers.” He added, “Not a cent of American money goes to Iran.” Vance has previously said that Iran could access the resources only if it complied with the agreement and changed its behavior.
Lawmakers Tie Fund To Domestic Priorities
Democrats have linked the fund to domestic needs. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said $300 billion could fund homelessness programs, cancer research and pre-K, adding, “This is not America First.”
Republican critics also pushed back. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said the package would make “Iran’s payoff” under Barack Obama’s 2015 deal look small. Rep. Thomas Massie wrote that $300 billion is “5X as much as Congress spends on our roads & bridges annually,” adding, “I’m tired of winning.”
Beyond the fund, the memorandum includes sanctions relief for Iran’s fossil fuel industry, talks on frozen assets and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Photo courtesy: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock.com
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