[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 49 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E669]]


                        IRAN FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 282, the 
Iran Freedom Support Act.
  This legislation will strengthen bilateral sanctions and require 
timely action to penalize companies that violate the law. For too long, 
loopholes in the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act have impaired its 
effectiveness in starving international investment in Iran's oil and 
gas sector. Instead, investigations of sanctions violations have 
languished while subsidiaries of big oil companies like Halliburton 
have been able to do business in Iran without penalty.
  The bill will also increase support for groups that promote human 
rights and political reform in Iran. This despotic regime has stifled a 
once vibrant civil society with economic stagnation, media censorship, 
and oppressive religious extremism. By investing in the Iranian people 
we will help bolster those who are fighting for a better future.
  I am especially pleased that independent radio and television 
stations that broadcast in Iran will be eligible for assistance under 
this Act. Los Angeles, which is home to the largest Iranian expatriate 
community in the world, has a number of successful satellite 
broadcasting programs that are highly popular in Iran. They are a 
valuable untapped resource for promoting democratic ideas, pluralism, 
and countering anti-Western rhetoric in Iran's state-run media.
  In the few months since the rigged election that brought him to 
power, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has managed to heighten 
propaganda to a level unseen since the revolution. With overt support 
for Hamas and Hezbollah and threats to destroy Israel and unleash 
suicide bombers against the United States and Britain, he has vocally 
advertised his government's nuclear pursuits and its prominent role as 
a state sponsor of terrorism.
  The U.N. Security Council's upcoming meeting to reexamine Iran's 
nuclear activities will be a crucial opportunity for resolute action. 
Iran's stonewalling of the IAEA has been egregious. The scope and 
clandestine nature of its nuclear operations belie its claims to be 
pursuing a peaceful civilian program. Its announcement that it has 
successfully enriched uranium makes clear that it fully intends to 
accelerate its enrichment efforts. The international community must 
develop a consensus to intervene and deter Iran from continuing on this 
destructive path.
  If we are to succeed, it is important that the Administration be more 
responsible in building its case against Iran than it was in pursuing 
action against Iraq. Unlike Iraq's nuclear program, which never 
materialized, Iran's program is real and much more dangerous. It is 
disturbing that our credibility is already being shaken by revelations 
that the White House may once again be pursuing exaggerated 
intelligence and a drumbeat toward preemptive unilateral military 
strikes.
  We cannot afford to alienate our allies or undermine the confidence 
and trust of the American people. As H.R. 282 shows, there are certain 
limited steps we can take on our own to have a positive impact. But 
there should be no illusion that it is in our interest or our ability 
to address this issue alone. Other nations have a stake in preventing 
Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and we must act in consultation.

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