[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 167 (Thursday, November 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1995-E1996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SUPPORT OF H.R. 1905, THE IRANIAN THREAT REDUCTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2011

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the House 
Committee on Foreign Affairs for their work earlier this week in 
unanimously passing H.R. 1905, the Iran Threat Reduction Act out of 
committee. This bipartisan legislation is critical to the protection of 
the American people and our allies around the world.
  I would like to thank Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member 
Berman for their hard work in shepherding this bill through the 
Committee, and I am confident that House leadership will bring this 
bill to the floor without delay.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe it is imperative that the United States take 
the lead in opposing Iran's strong quest to produce nuclear weapons. 
Such a development would produce the greatest destabilizing element 
into that volatile region the world has ever known.
  The recent discovery of a plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to 
the United States on American soil is but the latest reminder of the 
urgent need for the United States to take forceful and effective action 
to ensure that Iran does not succeed in developing the capability to 
produce nuclear weapons.
  Last year, Congress passed H.R. 2194, the Iran Sanctions, 
Accountability and Divestment Act. This legislation marked the most 
comprehensive Iran sanctions legislation ever passed by Congress.

[[Page E1996]]

  While current sanctions on Iran have impeded Iran's ability to 
successfully develop a nuclear weapon, most experts agree that Iran 
will have nuclear capabilities in the next two to three years if 
tougher sanctions are not imposed.
  According to a recent report released by the International Atomic 
Energy Agency, Iran has a stockpile of low-enriched uranium that if 
further enriched could produce three nuclear weapons.
  Earlier this week, I sent letters to Chairman Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking 
Member Berman and House leadership urging them to consider H.R. 1905 
and sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran. I am encouraged by the 
Committee's swift action and hopeful that this bill will swiftly be 
brought to the floor for consideration in the whole House.
  H.R. 1905 strongly reflects the demands of the international 
community that tougher sanctions must be placed on Iranian leaders to 
end their nuclear program. If enacted, H.R. 1905 would increase 
sanctions on human rights violators in Iran, impose tougher sanctions 
on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and would finally 
codify the U.S. policy to prevent Iran from developing unconventional 
weapons and ballistic missiles. This bill takes steps to peacefully 
thwart Iran's nuclear aspirations.
  During the markup of this bill, an amendment offered by Ranking 
Member Berman to strengthen sanctions against Iran's Central Bank was 
unanimously agreed to. The Berman Amendment strengthens H.R. 1905 by 
inserting language that directs the President to determine whether the 
Central Bank of Iran is engaged in sanctionable activity.
  By sanctioning the Central Bank of Iran, the United States would set 
a strong example for countries around the world that depend on a 
geopolitically stable Middle East for their own security and 
prosperity. Imposing tougher sanctions on the Iranian economy will 
demonstrate that the international community will not tolerate Iran's 
continued refusal to end their nuclear enrichment program.
  Specifically, the Berman Amendment directs the President of the 
United States to determine whether the Central Bank of Iran has:
  Assisted Iran's WMD or missile programs, including proliferation of 
WMD to other governments;
  Financed Iran's procurement of advanced conventional weapons;
  Provided financial services for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard 
Corps; or
  Facilitated Iran's support of international terrorism.
  Should the President make the determination that the Central Bank of 
Iran is involved in any of these areas, the bill would require him to 
apply sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. 
These sanctions would ensure that any foreign bank involved in 
significant transactions with the Central Bank of Iran are excluded 
from doing business with the U.S. If this bill is passed by the whole 
House, the President will have 30 days to make this determination.
  Mr. Speaker, history has taught us that strong sanctions can bring 
about peaceful change. A generation ago, Congress passed the Anti-
Apartheid Act which led to the end of the apartheid regime and brought 
about a peaceful revolution resulting in the new democratic South 
Africa.
  While the Arab Spring has deflected a lot of attention away from 
Iran's nuclear enrichment program, H.R. 1905 will help to refocus our 
efforts on appropriately addressing this critical issue. Leaders in the 
Iranian government have shown repeatedly that they are unwilling to 
comply with international demands to scrap their nuclear program.
  For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill and look 
forward to voting for it when it comes to the floor for final passage.

                          ____________________