[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31751]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              STATEMENT ON IRANIAN DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 14, 2009

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Iranian Digital Empowerment Act.
  In the aftermath of Iran's disputed 2009 presidential elections, 
millions of Iranians flooded the streets to stand-up to their 
government and make their voices heard. Empowered by communication 
services like Twitter and Facebook, Iranians were able to organize and 
communicate freely outside of the watchful eye of their government in 
what has become the first popular democratic uprising of the social 
media age.
  The Iranian people are among the most pro-Western people in the 
Middle East, and despite suffering under a totalitarian regime, their 
struggle to create a freer and democratic Iran continues to this day. 
This weekend marked the 6-month anniversary of fraudulent presidential 
elections. Once again, the Iranian people took to the streets in non-
violent protest. The government of Iran has sought to counter the 
peaceful efforts of the Iranian people, launching unprecedented efforts 
to block access to Internet technology, infiltrate electronic social 
networks, and restrict Iranians from communicating freely. 
Unfortunately, due to outdated language in provisions regarding 
information services, U.S. sanctions have had the unintended 
consequence of denying the Iranian people the tools necessary to 
communicate freely and circumvent government monitors online.
  In an effort to assist the Iranian people fighting for a change in 
leadership, I am introducing the Iranian Digital Empowerment Act. This 
legislation will clarify that U.S. laws are not intended to prohibit 
the export of software that would enable the Iranian people to 
communicate freely by circumventing their government's censorship 
efforts. U.S. sanctions intended to change the behavior of the Iranian 
government must not have the effect of stamping out the voice of the 
Iranian people.

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