[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 127]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     DO NOT LIFT SANCTIONS ON IRAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call on this 
administration to keep intact all existing sanctions on the world's 
leading state sponsor of terrorism, Iran. Sanctions must remain, and 
closer scrutiny and more accountability by this administration on 
Iran's continuing illicit activity must occur. It is imperative for 
peace, security, and stability in the Middle East and across the globe 
that we do this.
  Iran's conduct over the past few months and the lack of clear and 
exact leadership by this administration in response is cause for 
serious alarm. Iran has not changed its tone and conduct since the 
signing of the deal. In fact, they have doubled down on their 
unwillingness not to comply with international agreements, and they 
have created more danger and instability in the process.
  Here is the central point why I am speaking on the House floor here 
today: Once we lift sanctions, we have even less leverage.
  So let's look at how Iran has honored their commitments in the past 
few months and ask ourselves: Do we anticipate Iran will conduct itself 
in the months and years to come better or worse?
  On October 10, Iran carried out a precision-guided ballistic missile 
test. This violates U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929 and 2231. Now 
that Iran is prohibited from such testing under the deal, what do they 
do? They send weapons to Bashar al-Assad on Russian cargo planes. This 
violates U.N. Resolution 1747. They did that in October.
  On November 21, they carried out a medium-range ballistic missile 
test with capabilities to carry a nuclear warhead. They can't do that 
either.
  Last month, they fired several unguided rockets 1,500 yards from two 
U.S. vessels.
  Just a few days ago, they unveiled a new underground missile depot 
showing precision-guided missiles that have the capability to hold a 
nuclear warhead.
  What has been the response of this administration? They notify us 
they will respond with sanctions against Iranian individuals and 
businesses linked to Iran's ballistic missile program.
  What happened since they notified us of that? Nothing. They have 
walked it back.
  Here is my fear, Mr. Speaker. We are forecasting to Iran that they 
have carte blanche to do as they wish. And once we lift the sanctions, 
we can expect more of that. Iran is not honoring its commitments, so 
nor should we.
  We know the State Department classifies the deal not as a treaty, not 
as an executive agreement. It is not even a signed document. It is 
merely a political commitment. And it is clear Iran is not acting in 
good faith to our political commitment.
  I signed correspondence to the administration requesting that the 
President ``immediately void the deal and restore and/or continue all 
relevant sanctions on Iran that have been or will be relaxed under the 
JCPOA.''
  Let's not concern ourselves if Iran voices outrage or condemnation 
that we voided a political commitment on the basis that they feel they 
have somehow honored the deal because, number one, they violated U.N. 
resolutions since the deal was signed, the Iranian Parliament refuses 
to ratify the deal, and the Ayatollah forbids further negotiations with 
the U.S.
  The bottom line, Mr. Speaker, is that Iran's U.N. violations clearly 
violate the spirit of our political commitment to them. Their conduct 
threatens our national security, it threatens the security of our 
allies, and it further erodes an already precarious and unstable 
environment in the Middle East.
  Iran isn't honoring its commitments, so nor should we. Let's keep the 
sanctions in place. Do not lift them.

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