Statements on Iran Sanctions (HR 2194)

A few statements from last Thursday; apologies for the delay:

Joe Sestak, Democratic candidate for Senate:

Today, in seeking to prevent Iran, a state-sponsor of terrorism, from attaining nuclear-weapons capability, U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak voted in favor of, and helped the House pass, the Conference Report to H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act, which mandates new penalties for companies or banks dealing with Iran's oil industry or the Revolutionary Guard.

"Iran cannot be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons," said Joe Sestak. "This would pose a direct threat to our forces in the region and our ally Israel, while potentially triggering a regional arms race. While the military option can never be taken off the table in preventing Iranian proliferation of a nuclear weapons capability, today's measure demonstrates the commitment of Congress to defend Israel and to hold Iran accountable to its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This will help ensure the U.S., Israel, and the region's security, and I fully support it."

This Conference Report requires the President to impose sanctions on companies that are either supplying or investing in Iran's refined petroleum sector. It places sanctions on banks doing business with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which was responsible for the violent crackdowns during last year's election protests, and authorizes state divestment from companies investing in the Iranian energy sector.

Three new sanctions would essentially cut off foreign entities that engage in sanctionable activity from the American financial system by prohibiting access to the U.S. banking system, foreign exchange in the U.S., and American property transactions.

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz:

U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz issued the following statement in support of the Iran Sanctions Act, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today.

“I rise in strong support of the Iran Sanctions Act. This legislation makes clear to the Government of Iran that we will not tolerate their continued illicit pursuit of nuclear weapons or their support for terrorism.

“Supported by the ongoing multilateral efforts of the United Nations Security Council and the European Union, these tough sanctions are intended to put greater pressure on Iran to change their behavior.

“President Obama will now have a range of new options to deal with the threats posed by Iran. Expanding upon previous sanctions, this legislation imposes a wide array of tough new economic, energy and financial sanctions. These sanctions target businesses involved in refined petroleum sales and those that support Iran’s domestic refining efforts, as well as international banking institutions involved with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, nuclear program or support terrorism.

“Preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is one of our paramount national security priorities. Nor can we allow their flagrant support of international terrorism continue unabated. Strong sanctions and enforcement of those sanctions make it clear that Iran must change its conduct now.”