[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2426-H2428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1515
SOLIDIFY IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 2023
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3033) to repeal the sunset provision of
the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3033
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Solidify Iran Sanctions Act
of 2023''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-172; 50
U.S.C. 1701 note) requires the imposition of sanctions with
respect to Iran's illicit weapons programs, conventional
weapons and ballistic missile development, and support for
terrorism, including Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps.
(2) The Government of Iran has acquired destabilizing
conventional weapons systems from the Russian Federation and
other malign actors, and is funneling weapons and financial
support to its terrorist proxies throughout the Middle East,
threatening allies and partners of the United States, such as
Israel.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States to fully implement
and enforce the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note).
SEC. 4. REPEAL OF SUNSET.
Section 13 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law
104-172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``; sunset'';
(2) by striking ``(a) Effective Date.--''; and
(3) by striking subsection (b).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.
General Leave
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from South Carolina?
There was no objection.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, for 27 years, this law, the Iran Sanctions Act, enacted
in 1996, has been the foundation of our pressure campaign to compel
Iran to abandon its ballistic missile development and support for
terrorism.
In the intervening years, these sanctions have been expanded as the
threat posed by the Iranian nuclear program and other malign activities
become increasingly obvious and pressing. What we saw this weekend is
that these sanctions are more necessary than ever.
Iran, for the first time ever, has launched a direct attack on
Israel, firing over 300 missiles and drones directly at Israel.
Thankfully, 99 percent of these weapons were intercepted by Israel, the
United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Jordan.
Iran has the largest ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East. It
is not amassing these weapons for show. It is amassing these weapons to
use them, just as they gruesomely did this weekend.
At the same time, Iran is pressing forward with its provocative
nuclear program, expanding its stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched
uranium and refusing to cooperate in the dispute with the IAEA.
Iranian terrorist puppets are showing the world the destructive
capabilities they have gained from years of Iranian support. Hamas
launched its October 7 massacre that murdered over 1,200 innocent
people in Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon launched nearly daily attacks on
Israel's northern border, and the Houthis in Yemen are lobbing missiles
and UAVs at ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Additionally, Iran
is selling these dangerous weapons to war criminal Putin to fuel his
murderous war against the people of Ukraine.
The threat Iran poses to the United States and our allies is growing
more and more entrenched. We need a policy response that is durable and
shows that we are committed day in and day out to choking off any
financial support to the Iranian malign activities.
Today, that is why the House is considering the Solidify Iran
Sanctions Act, which would eliminate the upcoming 2026 sunset from the
Iran Sanctions Act. We need to send Iran a clear and simple message:
You cannot just wait out the sanctions. The sanctions will not expire
on some arbitrary date. The only way to make the U.S. sanctions go away
is to stop sanctionable conduct and not be a threat to the United
States and our allies, period.
The fact that we are considering this bill under suspension of the
rules is hugely important. It shows that eliminating this sunset is not
controversial. Republicans and Democrats agree that we need durable,
long-term pressure on Iran.
This bill passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously,
and I am grateful that it is being considered on the floor today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, July 17, 2023.
Hon. Michael McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: I write regarding H.R. 3033, the
Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023. Provisions of this bill
fall within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X jurisdiction,
and I appreciate that you consulted with us on those
provisions. The Judiciary Committee agrees that it shall be
discharged from further consideration of the bill so that it
may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.
The Committee takes this action with the understanding that
forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in
any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any
future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their
subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment
of an appropriate number of conferees in the event
[[Page H2427]]
of a conference with the Senate involving this measure or
similar legislation.
I ask that you please include this letter in your
committee's report to accompany this legislation or insert
this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration
of H.R. 3033 on the House floor. I appreciate the cooperative
manner in which our committees have worked on this matter,
and I look forward to working collaboratively in the future
on matters of shared jurisdiction. Thank you for your
attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Jim Jordan,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, July 24, 2023.
Hon. Jim Jordan,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Jordan: Thank you for consulting with the
Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 3033, the Solidify Iran
Sanctions Act of 2023, so that the measure may proceed
expeditiously to the House floor.
I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure
does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of
your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives
on this measure or similar legislation in the future. I would
support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate
number of conferees from your committee to any House-Senate
conference on this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on this bill into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration. I appreciate
your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward
to continuing to work together as this measure moves through
the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, April 14, 2024.
Hon. Michael McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: Thank you for consulting with the
Committee on Financial Services regarding H.R. 3033, the
Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023. I agree that the
Committee shall be discharged from further consideration of
the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House
Floor. The Committee takes this action with the mutual
understanding that, by foregoing consideration of H.R. 3033
at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the
subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and
that the Committee will be appropriately consulted and
involved on this or similar legislation as it moves forward.
The Committee also reserves the right to see appointment of
an appropriate number of conferees to any conference with the
Senate involving this or similar legislation, and we request
your support for any such request.
Finally. as you mentioned in your letter, I ask that a copy
of our exchange of letters on this bill be included in your
Committee's report to accompany the legislation, as well as
in the Congressional Record during floor consideration.
Sincerely,
Patrick McHenry,
Chairman, Committee on Financial Services.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, April 14, 2024.
Hon. Patrick McHenry,
Chairman, Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McHenry: Thank you for consulting with the
Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 3033, the Solidify Iran
Sanctions Act of 2023, so that the measure may proceed
expeditiously to the House floor.
I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure
does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of
your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives
on this measure or similar legislation in the future. I would
support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate
number of conferees from your committee to any House-Senate
conference on this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on this bill into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration. I appreciate
your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward
to continuing to work together as this measure moves through
the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3033. For the past 26
years, Congress and the executive branch have worked together to put
pressure on Iran's energy sector to deny Iran funds for implementing
its nefarious nuclear program and state-sponsored terror activities.
The Iran Sanctions Act, or ISA, originally passed into law in 1996
and has been the key statutory element undergirding our sanctions
infrastructure.
Since 1996, Congress has built upon this legislation multiple times
and has expanded the list of transactions that are considered
violations of the ISA. These sanctions, combined with sanctions on
Iran's financial system and petroleum transactions, and together with
aggressive diplomacy, are what drove Iran to the negotiating table to
finalize the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The JCPOA effectively shut off every pathway to an Iranian nuclear
weapon before it was unwisely torn down in 2018, leaving us in the
dangerous position we are now in.
The ISA is the only major Iran sanctions statute that contains a
sunset provision. In general, sunset provisions have value. They force
Congress to re-evaluate and reconsider sanctions to adjust to new
situations.
Therefore, we must all ask ourselves an important question: Under
what circumstances can Congress envision the necessity of abandoning
our sanctions infrastructure while this regime is in power? Even in the
instance a new Iran deal is reached and successfully implemented, I
believe we would want this sanctions infrastructure in place, just as
it was under the JCPOA, so that Iran and the international community
knows what awaits them if progress is not made.
Furthermore, if Congress loses this sanctions infrastructure, we will
be ceding even more of our authority to the executive branch of
government, who will solely rely on its executive powers to implement
sanctions unbound by the program developed by the United States
Congress.
This legislation sends an important message. It protects an important
statute, and it serves the interests of the American people.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this
measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she
may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Steel), a member
of the Committee on Ways and Means and the author of this legislation.
Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge passage of my bill, the
Solidify Iran Sanctions Act.
The Iranian regime poses one of the greatest threats to peace
throughout the Middle East and the world. They are a state sponsor of
terrorism. The Houthis, who Iran backs, are terrorizing ships
throughout the Red Sea. They are funding Hamas. They are a sworn enemy
of America, and their number one goal is to destroy Israel.
Even more troubling, they are doing everything possible to build a
nuclear weapon. Iran's deplorable attack on Israel demands
consequences.
The Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 is set to expire in 2026. There should
be no sunset date to stop funding for Iran-backed terrorism throughout
the world. The Solidify Iran Sanctions Act does what it says,
solidifies those sanctions, making them permanent.
The people of Israel, American soldiers, and innocent people
throughout the Middle East should not live in fear of the Iranian
regime and their terror. We must act now.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul and Congresswoman Susie Lee for
their leadership and partnership on this important issue, and I urge
all my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson)
for yielding me time.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3033 reinforces our existing sanctions
infrastructure, eliminating the sunset provision of the original Iran
Sanctions Act of 1996.
Although I believe that sunset clauses are important, previous
provisions in U.S. sanctions-related legislation compelling Congress to
reassess sanctions, the ISA is the only major Iran-related sanctions
statute with a sunset clause.
Even if the United States does manage to negotiate a new Iran deal to
end Tehran's nuclear weapons program, the ISA is an important deterrent
and reminder to Iran what awaits should they rescind the deal.
Additionally, losing the ISA at any point would only further cede
more
[[Page H2428]]
power to the executive branch of government with its executive powers
to implement sanctions.
Therefore, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting
H.R. 3033, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the
balance of my time to close.
Madam Speaker, just 2 days ago, the world was sadly stunned by the
Iranian unprecedented attack on the civilian population of Israel. The
regime in Tehran is committed to threatening the United States and our
ally Israel.
Iran is not going to voluntarily stop sponsoring the puppets that
they have of Hezbollah, the Houthis, or Hamas. They are not going to
give up their missiles and drones out of the goodness of their hearts.
They are most certainly not going to stop their nuclear program. They
truly do believe and chant in their parliament, in English: ``Death to
Israel. Death to America.''
The Iran threat is wide-ranging and multifaceted, and the Iran
Sanctions Act is a foundation of tools to combat it. We know this
threat isn't going away anytime soon, so let's stop fooling ourselves
that a sunset makes any sense on these provisions.
Madam Speaker, I am grateful to have the bipartisan support with
Ranking Member Greg Meeks, working with Chairman Mike McCaul, and
that we are here today.
I urge my colleagues to join in bringing our statutes in line with
the strategic reality on the ground.
Madam Speaker, additionally, Representative Michelle Steel is to be
appreciated. Even before the attacks took place, she brought this issue
up to address the murderous conduct of the regime in Tehran.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Steel). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3033.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the
yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________