[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 198 (Friday, December 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NO FUNDS FOR IRANIAN TERRORISM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 30, 2023

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5961, the No 
Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act. If passed, H.R. 5961 would destroy our 
credibility in negotiation for our nation moving forward on future 
diplomacy with Iran, putting the U.S.--and the world--in danger of a 
nuclearized Iran.
  Let's be clear: the prisoner swap agreement established earlier this 
year by President Biden helped eliminate a long-standing obstacle for 
improving U.S.-Iran relations and was an important step in preventing 
Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. By passing this legislation, 
we could be making future negotiations with Iran impossible, and 
eroding U.S. diplomatic credibility at a time when regional violence is 
on the rise. This loss of credibility and leverage damages the United 
States' ability to negotiate for future hostage release, including 
Israelis being held in Gaza.
  This would be the second time the United States has gone back on its 
word with Iran. Lest we forget, it was former President Trump who threw 
the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) into chaos when he 
announced the U.S. would withdraw from the deal in May 2018. Since the 
U.S. withdrew, Iran announced that it will not limit its stockpile of 
low-enriched uranium, which is a loss for national security here at 
home and across the globe.
  As my colleague Rep. Gregory Meeks, the Ranking Member on the House 
Foreign Affairs Committee, said during the markup of this bill: this is 
not about being friends with Iran. This is about using the best proven 
method--diplomacy--to stop Iran's nuclear ambition. It is through 
diplomacy that we have the best chance of reopening formal nuclear 
negotiations in the future, and we must keep this possibility alive.
  In addition to preserving our negotiating integrity with Iran, I am 
voting against this bill because the United States has a reputation of 
providing humanitarian aid to oppressed populations, even when we 
disagree with their governments. We know that when a population is 
deprived of food, water, access to medicine, and safe shelter, it makes 
it easier for oppressive regimes to thrive and control their people. If 
this bill were to pass, the United States would take the unprecedented 
step of opening up the possibility of sanctions on humanitarian aid. 
The civilians of Iran did not choose their government. They will suffer 
the most under economic sanctions.
  For these reasons, I must vote against this legislation.

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