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“H.R. 2194, COMPREHENSIVE IRAN SANCTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND DIVESTMENT ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1289-E1290 on July 13, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
H.R. 2194, COMPREHENSIVE IRAN SANCTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND DIVESTMENT
ACT
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HON. TODD TIAHRT
of kansas
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Mr. TIAHRT. Madam Speaker, Iran continues down a dangerous path that must he confronted with resolve and action. Unfortunately, instead of supporting the national interests of the United States, the Obama administration has attempted to aid hostile regimes over allies, supported dictators over democracy, and been more interested in talking to our adversaries than supporting our long-standing friends in the Middle East. To redirect U.S. foreign policy in the region, I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act, which we are considering today.
The threat posed by Iran is clear. First, we know that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. In 2009, Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence testified before Congress that ``Iran has the scientific, technical, and industrial capacity to eventually produce nuclear weapons.'' He went on to say that Iran could soon have enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon.
Second, we know that Iran has advanced short and medium-range missiles, and is rapidly developing capable longer-range missiles. Iran has already deployed the Shahab-3 missile, which has a range of over one-thousand miles. This missile can strike Israel and allies in Europe as well as American troops deployed in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. In February, Iran launched its first satellite into space. There are just relatively minor technological steps between a space launch and an inter-continental ballistic missile launch. In fact, a recent Air Force report said Iran's ``ambitious ballistic missile and space launch development programs'' could allow them to have an inter-
continental ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States by 2015.
Third, we know Iran is the world's most active state sponsor of terrorism. According to our own State Department, ``Iran's involvement in the planning and financial support of terrorist attacks throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia had a direct impact on international efforts to promote peace, threatened economic stability in the Gulf, and undermined the growth of democracy.'' Iran provides aid in the form of weapons, training, and funding to Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups, Lebanese Hezbollah, Iraq-based militants, and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan--and those are the ones we know about.
Finally, we know that Iranian leaders continue to call for the destruction of Israel. Israel is our most important ally in the Middle East. The United States has a strategic and moral responsibility to stand with them against all threats and aggression.
To counter this clear Iranian threat, I am pleased the House is today considering the conference report for H.R. 2194. This legislation will dramatically limit Iran's ability to import and produce refined petroleum products by requiring the president to impose sanctions on companies helping Iran in these areas. The bill also adds three new sanctions to limit Iranian access to the U.S. banking system and foreign exchanges, and toughens the sanctions regime by requiring the president to investigate any reports of certain sanctionable activity for which there is credible evidence and make a determination to Congress whether such activity has indeed occurred.
While the Obama administration has failed to alter Iranian action through appeasement, H.R. 2194 will take serious actions. Although a large oil producer, Iran is dependent on imported refined petroleum products. With these new sanctions in place, the Iranian economy will be dramatically hindered and hopefully Iran will be forced to change course especially in regards to nuclear weapons program.
While I join with my colleagues in strong support of this legislation, I am disappointed with two aspects of this conference report. First of all, the timing. This legislation was introduced 14 months ago and passed on the floor of the House six months ago. All of these delays were at the behest of the Obama administration due to their continued opposition to the bill. The administration finally allowed the legislation to move forward only after securing an important concession providing the President extensive waivers, which is my second concern.
Originally containing limited waiver authority, Democrats added much more extensive presidential waivers. This is a farce and undermines the legislation. The administration has shown time and time again its interest in appeasement and opposition to a strong sanctions regime. I fear this important legislation will just be waived like so many other sanction laws aimed at Iran.
While I support this conference report, I call on the administration to not utilize any waiver authority and allow every sanction in this bill to take effect. This legislation is the clear will of Congress and the American people, and should be carried out to its fullest extent by the administration.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 2194 is not perfect, but it is a good step forward in protecting U.S.-vital interests. Therefore, I encourage my colleagues to support final passage.
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