House approves legislation prohibiting cash payments to Iran

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has approved legislation to prohibit the United States from making cash payments to Iran and require that Congress be notified in advance of any future claims settlements with Tehran.

The bill passed Thursday by a 254-163 vote.

Republicans are seeking to rebuke the Obama administration for paying Iran $1.7 billion in cash to settle a decades-old arbitration claim. Iran received $400 million of the total the same day Tehran agreed to release four American prisoners.

GOP lawmakers decried the payments as ransom, a charge the White House has rejected. Republicans say Iran will use the money to finance terrorism.

Rep. Ed Royce of California, the bill's sponsor, says cash is the currency of terror.

The White House calls the bill ill-advised and has threatened to veto the measure.