[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NUCLEAR IRAN PREVENTION ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 31, 2013

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I have voted for many 
of the Iran sanctions bills that have to come before this body in the 
past, and I strongly believe that sanctions are a crucial tool in the 
extremely important effort to prevent Iran from developing nuclear 
weapons. But I am disappointed that the House took up and passed H.R. 
850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, this week. I believe that the 
timing and substance of this latest sanctions bill are ill-considered 
and would have the effect of pushing Iran in the opposite direction we 
seek.
  More than 100 Members of Congress from both parties wrote to 
President Obama just two weeks ago in support of efforts to ``utilize 
all diplomatic tools to reinvigorate ongoing nuclear talks.'' I signed 
that letter because I believe that, while we cannot know at this point 
whether President-elect Rouhani will in fact be willing to negotiate in 
good faith to end Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon, we must do 
everything in our power to demonstrate to Iran that it will benefit 
from ending its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Bringing H.R. 850 for a 
vote this week, just before President-elect Rouhani's inauguration, I 
believe, does the opposite, as it indicates an unwillingness to adapt 
to any adjusting circumstances that may occur. Moreover, it strengthens 
the hands of extremists in Iran who could use this vote to falsely 
claim that the American government is not interested in pursuing a 
diplomatic solution.
  Additionally, I am concerned that certain provisions in H.R. 850 
would unwisely limit President Obama's authority to negotiate as he 
sees fit. In particular, the bill would impose a total oil embargo, 
without providing an appropriate exemption for President Obama to 
utilize if need be. This creates two problems. First, it diminishes 
President Obama's ability to offer economic benefits to Iran in 
exchange for an Iranian halt to enrichment of uranium. Second, it makes 
it substantially more challenging for President Obama to maintain the 
strong international coalition that he has developed in support of 
sanctions. Without international support, our sanctions would be for 
naught, as Iran would be able to simply continue trading with other 
countries and would not face the economic harms intended by sanctions.
  I support a strong sanctions regime as part of an effort to achieve a 
diplomatic solution that prevents Iran from developing nuclear weapons. 
I also support some important provisions of H.R. 850, such as those 
that provide for new sanctions against Iranian officials who are 
responsible for human rights abuses. Yet, overall, I am concerned that 
H.R. 850 will not strengthen the effort to utilize sanctions to achieve 
a diplomatic solution, but will instead be counterproductive to it.

                          ____________________