[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 74 (Monday, May 5, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1838-H1839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SOLIDIFY IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 2025
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1800) 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. 1800
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 2025''.
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
Florida (Mr. Mast) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Olszewski) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1800, the Solidify Iran
Sanctions Act of 2025.
The Iran Sanctions Act was enacted back in 1996. For 29 years, this
law has acted as the cornerstone of U.S. efforts to address the Iran
regime's malign influence. From its support to terrorist proxies to its
dangerous nuclear program, the impact of the regime's provocative
actions continues to be felt far and wide.
These sanctions are more important now than ever. As this
administration pursues a last-ditch effort to address the threat posed
by Iran's nuclear program diplomatically, these sanctions continue to
provide much-needed leverage to address the full range of Iran's malign
activity. They are a vital and necessary tool not only to deny Iran all
paths to a nuclear weapon and to cut off its enrichment capabilities
but also to counter Iran's malign influence abroad, including its
ongoing support to terrorist proxies like the Houthis.
What we see across the region and beyond is that the threat Iran
poses to the United States and our partners and allies is becoming 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 Iran's malign activities.
That is why, today, 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. They cannot wait out
our sanctions. Our sanctions will not expire on some arbitrary date.
The only way to make U.S. sanctions go away is to stop the sanctionable
conduct and not threaten the United States' national security interests
or our allies, period.
The fact that we are considering this bill under suspension of rules
is hugely significant. It shows that eliminating this sunset is not a
partisan issue. Republicans and Democrats agree that we need durable,
long-lasting, and long-term pressure on Iran.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1800, the Solidify Iran
Sanctions Act of 2025. For nearly 30 years, Congress and the executive
branch have utilized the Iran Sanctions Act, or ISA, to constrict
Iran's energy sector, denying the Iranian regime needed funds to grow
its nefarious nuclear program and carry out state-sponsored terror
activities.
Originally passed into law in 1996, the ISA has been the key
statutory element undergirding our sanctions infrastructure against
Iran. The ISA provides secondary sanctions authority to hold third-
party firms accountable for their investments in Iran, as well.
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 additional sanctions on Iran's
financial system and petroleum transactions, as well as aggressive
American diplomacy, are what drove Iran to the negotiation table to
finalize the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015, a deal that
effectively prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon before it
was torn up by President Trump in 2018.
Today, Iran is closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon than ever before.
The Iranian regime, through its backing of terrorist organizations like
Hamas and Hezbollah, continues to wreak havoc throughout the Middle
East.
We must ask ourselves: Under what circumstances can Congress envision
abandoning our sanctions infrastructure while this Iranian regime is in
power? What indications have we had since 1996 that this regime is
interested in changing its nature and becoming a productive and
peaceful member of the international community?
While it is exceedingly rare that Congress should waive sunsets, and
I would support an extended authorization, the failure of Iran to
change for decades speaks for itself.
The ISA is the only major Iran sanctions statute that contains a
sunset provision. In general, sunset provisions have value, forcing
Congress to reevaluate and reconsider sanctions to adjust to new
situations. However, even in the instance a new Iran deal is reached
and successfully implemented, I believe we would want this sanctions
infrastructure still in place, just as it was under the JCPOA, so that
Iran and the international community know what awaits them if progress
is not made or promises are not kept.
Repealing the sunset provision of the ISA is also an issue of checks
and balances. Losing congressional authority
[[Page H1839]]
of this critical sanctions infrastructure would effectively cede more
authority to the executive branch, which has already proven to be more
than willing to act unilaterally and without congressional oversight in
carrying out executive actions.
Passing the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 would send an
important message about Congress' role in the conduct of U.S. foreign
policy toward Iran and, in sum, serves American national security
interests.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this
measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Mackenzie), the sponsor of this bill.
Mr. MACKENZIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support my bill, H.R.
1800, the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2025.
Mr. Speaker, at a time when our country is working to achieve peace
and de-escalate military conflict in multiple locations around the
world, we must remain vigilant about the ongoing threats posed by some
of our long-term adversaries.
{time} 1645
Iran has a well-established record of destabilizing the Middle East
and threatening its neighbors.
The Government of Iran is manufacturing weapons, including drones,
acquiring conventional weapons through malign actors, and supporting
those actors around the world by funneling weapons and financial
support. They do it through their terrorist proxy network throughout
the Middle East.
These actions directly threaten U.S. personnel and our allies in the
region. Iran-backed militias have killed and injured U.S. troops
stationed on bases in the Middle East, including an attack on a U.S.
base in Jordan on January 28, 2024, which killed three American
soldiers and injured dozens more.
We also know that Iran is continuing to enrich uranium and
manufacture long-range missiles which together pose an unprecedented
threat to regional stability.
As the current administration works to achieve the total
dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program, it is critical that we give
them the tools that they need in order to enforce their policy of
maximum pressure. In order to achieve peace and stability in the
region, we have to remind Tehran that they will not be able to grow,
prosper, or effectively do business until they end their nuclear
ambitions and stop supporting terrorism. Today's legislation achieves
that by empowering our administration during negotiations and putting
Iran on notice.
This bill removes the sunset clause from the Iran Sanctions Act of
1996, making it permanent law. The original act mandates sanctions on
individuals and entities involved in Iran's energy sector in its
efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction. By eliminating the
expiration date, we ensure that these sanctions remain a steadfast
component of our national security strategy.
The Iran Sanctions Act has been a cornerstone in our efforts to deter
Iran's malign activities, and this legislation will show our clear
resolve on that issue. We must send this message: The United States
will not tolerate Iran's support of terrorism, its pursuit of nuclear
weapons, or its support for attacks on international vessels and
American servicemembers.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this vital legislation.
By voting for the Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 and solidifying it, we
affirm our resolve to confront Iran's threats and protect America's
interests and allies.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared to
close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill sends a clear signal that the United States
will continue to use every tool at its disposal necessary to prevent
Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, deter it from carrying out state-
sponsored terrorist activities, and defend American interests and that
of our allies and partners in the Middle East.
Preserving Congress' ability to ensure sanctions against Iran is
critical to maintaining congressional sanction authorities and
protecting U.S. national security.
Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this bill,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
On October 7, the world witnessed the horror of Iran-backed terrorism
as Hamas brutally murdered over 1,200 innocent people in Israel.
Iran has been sponsoring Hamas for years. They were sponsoring
terrorists on the battlefield that I and many of our colleagues
participated in, just as it has been sponsoring Hezbollah and the
Houthis to attack Israel just over this past weekend, amassing
ballistic missiles, building armed drones, and expanding its nuclear
weapon program at an alarming rate.
The Iran threat is wide-ranging and multifaceted, and the Iran
Sanctions Act is the foundation of our tools to combat this threat. 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.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in bringing our statutes
in line with the strategic reality on the ground.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 1800.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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