Rep. Shuler Votes to Impose Strongest Iran Sanctions in History

Rep. Shuler Votes to Impose Strongest Iran Sanctions in History

Washington, DC—Last week, Congressman Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) voted to impose sanctions on the Iranian regime which are unprecedented in their scope and severity.  H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, includes rigorous measures designed to force Iran to abandon its illegal nuclear weapons agenda, cease its support of international terrorism, and stop the regime’s  regular and systemic abuses of human rights.

The legislation passed in both the House and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support.  In the Senate, it passed 99-0, and in the House the tally was 408-8.

“A nuclear Iran is an unacceptable threat to the U.S., to the Middle East, and to our allies, particularly Israel.  Ahmadinejad and his regime cannot be allowed to continue down their dangerous path of nuclear ambition and support of global terrorism,” said Rep. Shuler. “I am proud that the House is looking past partisanship and is working together to stop Iran’s malicious efforts and protect our national security.”

The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act is by far the strongest and broadest sanctions against Iran that Congress has ever passed.   Among other measures, the bill:

• Sanctions foreign corporations  that sell goods or services to Iran, including insurance, financing and shipping companies

• Sanctions foreign banks that work with the regime, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, or with other blacklisted Iranian entities, including Iranian banks with ties to weapons of mass destruction or international terrorism.  The bill also disallows US banks from dealing with those institutions.

• Imposes considerable financial penalties and travel restrictions on Iran’s human rights abusers.

• Includes provisions to support the Iranian people and stifle the government’s ability to continue human rights abuses.

Rep. Shuler has been a leader in acting to thwart Iran’s efforts to become a nuclear power. He co-sponsored H.R. 1327, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, which simplified the process for state and local governments and educational institutions to make sure their investments do not indirectly fund Iran’s energy sector.  In September 2009, when Iran built their second uranium enrichment site and hid it from the international community, Rep. Shuler co-sponsored the Iran Petroleum Sanctions Act to limit Iran’s ability to import and produce refined petroleum products.  He has consistently voted for sanctions against Iran’s regime and has spoken out about the threat Ahmadinejad poses.

Rep, Shuler said, “This bill gives every banking institution and international company out there a clear choice—they can either dirty their hands with blacklisted Iranian cronies or enjoy fruitful commerce with the United States, they cannot do both.  I am proud to have been a part of passing this bill and putting into place the toughest sanctions Congress has ever passed against Iran.”