Johnson Comments on Release of Americans Held by Iran

OSHKOSH — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said this about news of Iran releasing Americans it held captive: 

"We should celebrate the good news that Iran finally has released five American hostages. But we should not delude ourselves that this represents a significant positive change in the Iranian regime's behavior. These Americans should never have been held as hostages, and they should have been freed long ago.   

"The mullahs in Iran have been emboldened by the nuclear agreement and are playing this administration like a violin – brazenly test firing ballistic missiles, firing unguided rockets close to the USS Truman, capturing and humiliating American sailors. Now, the regime is releasing a few hostages in anticipation of $100 billion in sanctions relief. I have no idea why anyone would think it is a good idea to allow billions of dollars to flow into the economy and military of our self-proclaimed enemy that behaves so badly.  Unfortunately, this administration believes it is.”