Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-3783
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]
Introduced: 2012-01-18 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arizona
Arms control and nonproliferation
Border security and unlawful immigration
California
Collective security
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Human trafficking
Iran
Latin America
Mexico
Middle East
Militias and paramilitary groups
New Mexico
Organized crime
Rule of law and government transparency
Smuggling and trafficking
Subversive activities
Terrorism
Texas
Western Hemisphere

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: 
Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to use all elements of national power to counter Iran's growing presence and hostile activity in the Western Hemisphere.
 
Directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a strategy to address Iran's growing presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere.

action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 - States that it is U.S. policy to use a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran's growing hostile presence in the Western Hemisphere by working together with U.S. allies and partners in the region to deter threats to U.S. interests by Iran, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah.
 Directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a strategy to address Iran's growing presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere which should include: (1) descriptions of the presence, activities, and operations of Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah; (2) descriptions of the terrain, population, ports, foreign firms, airports, borders, media outlets, financial centers, foreign embassies, charities, religious and cultural centers, and income-generating activities utilized by Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah; (3) descriptions of the relationship of Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah with transnational criminal organizations; (4) descriptions of the relationship of Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah that may be present with governments in the Western Hemisphere; (5) descriptions of federal law enforcement capabilities, military forces, state and local government institutions, and other critical elements, such as nongovernmental organizations that may organize to counter the Iranian threat in the Western Hemisphere; (6) descriptions of activity by Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah that may be present at the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada and at other international borders within the Western Hemisphere; and (7) a plan to address efforts by foreign persons, entities, and governments in the region to assist Iran in evading sanctions, to protect U.S. interests, assets, and allies in the Western Hemisphere, to support U.S. efforts to designate persons and entities in the Western Hemisphere for proliferation and terrorist activities relating to Iran, and to address vital U.S. interests in ensuring energy supplies from the Western Hemisphere. 
 Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should keep Congress informed about Iran's hostile actions in the Western Hemisphere.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 - States that it is U.S. policy to use a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran's growing hostile presence in the Western Hemisphere by working together with U.S. allies and partners in the region to deter threats to U.S. interests by Iran, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah.
 
Directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a strategy to address Iran's growing presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere which should include: (1) descriptions of the presence, activities, and operations of Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah; (2) descriptions of the terrain, population, ports, foreign firms, airports, borders, media outlets, financial centers, foreign embassies, charities, religious and cultural centers, and income-generating activities utilized by Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah; (3) descriptions of the relationship of Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah with transnational criminal organizations; (4) descriptions of the relationship of Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah that may be present with governments in the Western Hemisphere; (5) descriptions of federal law enforcement capabilities, military forces, state and local government institutions, and other critical elements, such as nongovernmental organizations that may organize to counter the Iranian threat in the Western Hemisphere; (6) descriptions of activity by Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah that may be present at the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada and at other international borders within the Western Hemisphere; and (7) a plan to address efforts by foreign persons, entities, and governments in the region to assist Iran in evading sanctions, to protect U.S. interests, assets, and allies in the Western Hemisphere, to support U.S. efforts to designate persons and entities in the Western Hemisphere for proliferation and terrorist activities relating to Iran, and to address vital U.S. interests in ensuring energy supplies from the Western Hemisphere. 
 
Authorizes such strategy to be submitted in classified form, but requires it to include an unclassified summary of policy recommendations addressing the growing Iranian threat in the Western Hemisphere.
 
 Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should keep Congress informed about Iran's hostile actions in the Western Hemisphere.
action_date: 2012-12-28
text: 
 
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 12, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 
Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 - States that it is U.S. policy to use a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran's growing hostile presence in the Western Hemisphere by working together with U.S. allies and partners in the region to deter threats to U.S. interests by Iran, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah. 
Directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a strategy to address Iran's growing presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere which should include: (1) descriptions of the presence, activities, and operations of Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah; (2) descriptions of the terrain, population, ports, foreign firms, airports, borders, media outlets, financial centers, foreign embassies, charities, religious and cultural centers, and income-generating activities utilized by Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah; (3) descriptions of the relationship of Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah with transnational criminal organizations; (4) descriptions of the relationship of Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah that may be present with governments in the Western Hemisphere; (5) descriptions of federal law enforcement capabilities, military forces, state and local government institutions, and other critical elements, such as nongovernmental organizations that may organize to counter the Iranian threat in the Western Hemisphere; (6) descriptions of activity by Iran, the IRGC, the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah that may be present at the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada and at other international borders within the Western Hemisphere; and (7) a plan to address efforts by foreign persons, entities, and governments in the region to assist Iran in evading sanctions, to protect U.S. interests, assets, and allies in the Western Hemisphere, to support U.S. efforts to designate persons and entities in the Western Hemisphere for proliferation and terrorist activities relating to Iran, and to address vital U.S. interests in ensuring energy supplies from the Western Hemisphere. 
Authorizes such strategy to be submitted in classified form, but requires it to include an unclassified summary of policy recommendations addressing the growing Iranian threat in the Western Hemisphere. 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should keep Congress informed about Iran's hostile actions in the Western Hemisphere.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-28
text: Became Public Law No: 112-220.
action_date: 2012-12-28
text: Became Public Law No: 112-220.
action_date: 2012-12-28
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2012-12-28
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2012-12-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2012-12-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2012-12-18
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-12-18
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 6 (Roll no. 630). (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H6840)
action_date: 2012-12-18
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 6 (Roll no. 630).(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H6840)
action_date: 2012-12-18
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6853)
action_date: 2012-12-18
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2012-12-18
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3783.
action_date: 2012-12-18
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H6840-6841)
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S7988)
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S7988)
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7988)
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6079-6080)
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6079-6080)
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3783.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6079-6083)
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2012-03-07
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2012-03-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
action_date: 2012-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia .
action_date: 2012-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 112-220