Date: 2015-10-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 3457. the "Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act." If enacted into law. H.R. 3457 would prevent the United States from implementing its sanctions relief commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between the P5+1 countries. the European Union (EU). and Iran by tying the Administrations ability to fulfill its commitments to nonnuclear issues that are outside the scope of the JCPOA. Mr. Speaker. this bill has absolutely no chance of becoming law because President Obama has already announced he will veto it if presented to him for signature. And that is as it should be since this illconsidered and unwise bill comes to floor without being vetted by any of the committees of jurisdiction. The bill was not considered by the Judiciary Committee or its Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism. Homeland Security. and Investigations. of which I serve as Ranking Member and which has jurisdiction over issues federal lawsuits and compensation involving victims of terrorist acts. Nor was the bill considered by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. even though that committee has held several hearings relating to violent extremism and terrorists acts. In the month of September alone. the Committee on Foreign Affairs held six hearings that addressed some aspect of terrorism and violent extremism. not one of which involved H.R. 3457 or the subject matter raised in the legislation. Given its adverse impact on the JCPOA. one would have thought that this legislation would have been fully vetted before being rushed to the floor. and this lack of careful scrutiny is sufficient in itself to vote against this bill. Mr. Speaker. let me be clear: I am. and long have been. a strong supporter and advocate for adequate compensation for victims of terrorism sponsored or supported by foreign states. For example. I have fought for compensation for the victims of Boko Haram. the Lords Resistance Army. ISIL and AIShabaab from Nigeria. to Syria. to Kenya. to name just a few. I have requested the Attorney General of the United States to take action to secure relief for thousands of victims of terror from different regions of the world. But I have never advocated or supported actions to achieve this result that puts the national security at risk. And that is why I cannot support H.R. 3457. By obstructing implementation of the JCPOA. H.R. 3457 would greatly undermine our national security interests and likely would result in the collapse of the comprehensive diplomatic arrangement that peacefully and verifiably prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. This would in turn allow for the resumption of a significantly less constrained Iranian nuclear program. lead to the unraveling of the international sanctions regime against Iran. and deal a devastating blow to Americas credibility as a leader of international diplomacy. This would have the collateral effect of jeopardizing both the hard work of sustaining a unified coalition to combat Irans destabilizing activities in the region and Americas ability to lead the world on nuclear nonproliferation. Mr. Speaker. the Administration supports efforts by U.S. terrorism victims to pursue compensation. consistent with our national security. It bears pointing out that nothing in the JCPOA prohibits or impedes those efforts. Mr. Speaker. we have called Iran untrustworthy because it has not always lived up to its commitments. What would it say about the United States and its reputation of being an honest broker and trustworthy partner if we reneged on a carefully and painstakingly negotiated agreement before the ink barely had time to dry? The single and overriding purpose of the JCPOA was to address the international communitys concern over Irans nuclear program and the need to verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. This goal is achieved by the JCPOA this objective is undermined by H.R. 3457. After all our hearings and thoughtful deliberations on the JCPOA. it defies reason to collapse the historic and landmark diplomatic success that created the framework for a peaceful and verifiable methodology to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. For these reasons. Mr. Speaker. I strongly oppose H.R. 3457 and urge all Members to join me in voting against this unwise measure.