Duckworth: Kirk 'unhinged,' hearings on Iran payment 'waste'

CHICAGO (AP) - Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth is calling U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk "unhinged" after the Illinois Republican said President Barack Obama was "acting like the drug dealer in chief."

Duckworth is challenging Kirk for Senate.

Kirk criticized Obama last week over a $400 million cash payment the administration made to Iran contingent on the release of American prisoners. He says the president shouldn't give "clean packs of money to a ... state sponsor of terror."

Duckworth spoke Tuesday in Chicago. She agrees with the Obama administration that the repayment of money from an Iranian account wasn't a "ransom."

Duckworth also says hearings Kirk has planned on the issue are "a waste of taxpayer time and money."

Kirk spokesman Kevin Artl says the Obama administration's actions are "almost certain to fund terrorism."