[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 172 (Thursday, December 1, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IRAN SANCTIONS EXTENSION BILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, later today we will have a chance to 
pass the Iran sanctions extension legislation that passed the House by 
a large margin.
  Given Iran's continued pattern of aggression and the country's 
persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the region, 
preserving these sanctions is critical. This is even more important 
given how the current administration has been held hostage by Iran's 
threats to withdraw from the nuclear agreement and how it has ignored 
Iran's overall efforts to upset the balance of power in the greater 
Middle East.
  The authorities extended by this legislation give us some of the 
tools needed to, if necessary, impose sanctions to hold the regime to 
account and to keep the American people safer. Next year I expect the 
new administration and new Congress will undertake a total review of 
our overall Iran policy. These authorities should remain in place as we 
address how best to deal with the Iranian missile test, their support 
for Hezbollah, and their support for the Syrian regime.
  I urge all Senators to support this legislation later today.

                          ____________________