[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO MAKE AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN NONPROLIFERATION 
      ACT OF 2000 RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION PAYMENTS

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce a bill to make amendments 
to the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 related to International Space 
Station payments. It is critical that we pass this legislation to 
preserve NASA's ability to perform such core functions as transporting 
astronauts to the International Space Station. Indeed, the 
International Space Station program may be threatened if the United 
States is prevented from purchasing from Russia the space hardware and 
services required to meet U.S. obligations.
  Currently, the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 forbids any such 
purchase because Russia is said to be assisting Iran in pursuit of its 
atomic energy program. Mr. Speaker, this situation demonstrates very 
clearly the negative unintended consequences of our counterproductive 
policy of restricting trade and placing trade sanctions on other 
countries. It would be ironic if in our zeal to punish Russia for 
engaging in trade with Iran we in fact end up punishing scores of 
Americans who work in the space industry in the United States.
  I very much hope that my colleagues will join me in this effort to 
prevent these indirect sanctions from unfairly harming the American 
space program.

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