They say politics can make strange bedfellows. When it comes to a nuclear Iran, Congress certainly has put aside partisan politics in the interest of international safety.
On June 24 the House of Representatives passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act by a vote of 408-8. In a day when party line votes are the norm, not the exception, such an overwhelming vote is truly remarkable - especially on such an important matter.
A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to the United States and the international community. The legislation I supported would amend the Iran Sanctions Act to impose new economic penalties aimed at forcing Iran to change its conduct, especially to end its nuclear weapons programs. Businesses affected include entities involved in refined petroleum sales to Iran; those providing support for Iran's domestic refining efforts; and banking institutions involved with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iran's illicit nuclear program, or its support for terrorism.
In addition, the legislation provides a framework by which states, local governments, and other investors can divest their portfolios of foreign companies involved in Iran's energy sector and establish a mechanism to address concerns about diversion of sensitive technologies to Iran through other countries.
On June 16, European Union (EU) lawmakers passed their own round of sanctions targeting assets, visas, and cargo companies owned by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, in addition to companies investing, assisting, or transferring technology to Iranian oil and gas companies sanctioned by the EU. In late June, Canada also implemented harsher Iran sanctions.
By placing crippling sanctions against Iran's energy and financial sectors, democracies around the world have a chance to derail this rogue nation's rush toward nuclear weapons.
The Iranian regime's obsession with possessing nuclear weapons is a nightmare scenario for the United States, Israel, and our allies in the Middle East and around the world. A nuclear Iran would cause a destabilizing arms race in the Middle East and could lead to untold conflicts.
Iran's leadership has threatened to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, and it would not hesitate to put nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists to attack America or any of her allies at will. The rulers of Iran killed their own people for protesting a fraudulent election - imagine what they would do to Tel Aviv or New York City.
While this bill is a vast improvement from the rather weak resolution passed by the United Nations (which were diluted by Russia and China), the effectiveness of these sanctions depends on President Obama's willingness to vigorously implement them to the fullest extent.
The Act provides a number of waivers granting the Administration some flexibility in implementing sanctions. One such waiver would give the President authorization to put aside sanctions under certain circumstances for persons under the jurisdiction of governments which are closely cooperating with the U.S. in multilateral efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring or developing weapons of mass destruction.
It is essential President Obama carries out the clear Congressional intent to cripple Iran's energy and financial sectors. President Obama should not ignore any part of these sanctions. Now is the time for decisive action by America and our allies.
With each passing day, the ruling regime in Iran moves one step closer to acquiring nuclear weapons. This is truly a horrifying prospect. I will continue to stand with my colleagues - Democrats and Republicans - and our allies to head off the growing Iranian threat.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Iran Sanctions
They say politics can make strange bedfellows. When it comes to a nuclear Iran, Congress certainly has put aside partisan politics in the interest of international safety.
On June 24 the House of Representatives passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act by a vote of 408-8. In a day when party line votes are the norm, not the exception, such an overwhelming vote is truly remarkable - especially on such an important matter.
A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to the United States and the international community. The legislation I supported would amend the Iran Sanctions Act to impose new economic penalties aimed at forcing Iran to change its conduct, especially to end its nuclear weapons programs. Businesses affected include entities involved in refined petroleum sales to Iran; those providing support for Iran's domestic refining efforts; and banking institutions involved with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iran's illicit nuclear program, or its support for terrorism.
In addition, the legislation provides a framework by which states, local governments, and other investors can divest their portfolios of foreign companies involved in Iran's energy sector and establish a mechanism to address concerns about diversion of sensitive technologies to Iran through other countries.
On June 16, European Union (EU) lawmakers passed their own round of sanctions targeting assets, visas, and cargo companies owned by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, in addition to companies investing, assisting, or transferring technology to Iranian oil and gas companies sanctioned by the EU. In late June, Canada also implemented harsher Iran sanctions.
By placing crippling sanctions against Iran's energy and financial sectors, democracies around the world have a chance to derail this rogue nation's rush toward nuclear weapons.
The Iranian regime's obsession with possessing nuclear weapons is a nightmare scenario for the United States, Israel, and our allies in the Middle East and around the world. A nuclear Iran would cause a destabilizing arms race in the Middle East and could lead to untold conflicts.
Iran's leadership has threatened to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, and it would not hesitate to put nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists to attack America or any of her allies at will. The rulers of Iran killed their own people for protesting a fraudulent election - imagine what they would do to Tel Aviv or New York City.
While this bill is a vast improvement from the rather weak resolution passed by the United Nations (which were diluted by Russia and China), the effectiveness of these sanctions depends on President Obama's willingness to vigorously implement them to the fullest extent.
The Act provides a number of waivers granting the Administration some flexibility in implementing sanctions. One such waiver would give the President authorization to put aside sanctions under certain circumstances for persons under the jurisdiction of governments which are closely cooperating with the U.S. in multilateral efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring or developing weapons of mass destruction.
It is essential President Obama carries out the clear Congressional intent to cripple Iran's energy and financial sectors. President Obama should not ignore any part of these sanctions. Now is the time for decisive action by America and our allies.
With each passing day, the ruling regime in Iran moves one step closer to acquiring nuclear weapons. This is truly a horrifying prospect. I will continue to stand with my colleagues - Democrats and Republicans - and our allies to head off the growing Iranian threat.
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