Date: 2016-01-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this legislation impedes. prohibits. and stops the President and the next President. as our representative of the face of America internationally and who has the responsibility. from enforcing this agreement. It was done primarily to stop Irans nuclear efforts. I. too. as one who has supported this legislation. believes that sanctions should be increased and that we should respond to Irans ballistic missile episode. but there are ways to do that by strengthening the sanctions. not by tying the hands of the Commander in Chiefthe President of the United Statesand not by renegotiating this on the floor of the House to the extent that we have. in essence. giving the President no latitude with which to negotiate. I ask my colleagues to oppose this legislation because it is not legislation that enhances our place. It takes away from the Presidents authority. and it makes it very difficult to interact with Iran. Let me be very clear: Iran has its troubles. and it is a bad actor. but I will tell you there are better ways to handle this situation. I ask my colleagues to vote "no" on this legislation. Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3662. the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. We are here again wasting valuable time on measures we know have no real chance of survival beyond these debates. I strongly oppose this futile measure to block all efforts to enforce the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). H.R. 3662. would prevent the U.S. from implementing the JCPOA by tying the Administrations ability to fulfill U.S. commitments under this long negotiated deal to unrelated. nonnuclear issues. The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 3662. the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. which would prevent the United States from implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by tying the Administrations ability to fulfill U.S. commitments under the deal to unrelated. nonnuclear issues. This bill includes provisions that connect the United States JCPOA commitment to provide sanctions relief by delisting certain Iranrelated individuals and entities. including banks. to nonnuclear issues outside of the scope of the JCPOA. Certain provisions would effectively preclude delisting of individuals or entities on Implementation Day of the JCPOAthe day on which the International Atomic Energy Agency verifies that Iran has completed key nuclearrelated steps that significantly dismantle and constrain its nuclear programbased on activity that may have taken place and ended long before Implementation Day and involving persons or activity that will no longer be sanctioned postImplementation Day. By preventing the United States from fulfilling its JCPOA commitments. H.R. 3662 could result in the collapse of a comprehensive diplomatic arrangement that peacefully and verifiably prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Such a collapse would remove the unprecedented constraints on Irans nuclear program that we achieved in the JCPOA. 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 ripple effects. jeopardizing the hard work of sustaining a unified coalition to combat Irans destabilizing activities in the region. calling into question the effectiveness of our sanctions regime and our ability to lead the world on nuclear nonproliferation. The Administration has consistently made clear that the purpose of the nuclear negotiations. and ultimately the JCPOAwas to address one issue only: the international communitys concerns over Irans nuclear program and to verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The JCPOA is the critical mechanism through which the United States was able to garner international support for our sanctions and achieve a diplomatic resolution. As we address our concerns with Irans nuclear program through implementation of the JCPOA. the Administration remains cleareyed and shares the deep concerns of the Congress and the American people about Irans support for terrorism. Powerful sanctions targeting Irans support for terrorism. its ballistic missile activities. its human rights abuses. and its destabilizing activities in the region remain in effect. Anyone worldwide who transacts with or supports individuals or entities sanctioned in connection with Irans support for terrorism or development of WMD and their means of delivery. including missilesor who does the same with any Iranian individual or entity who remains on Treasurys Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. puts themselves at risk of being sanctioned. Up until this point. Iran has been meeting all commitments under the JCPOAany impediments to the United States ability to uphold its commitments jeopardizes the security of our nation. The President has made it clear that he will veto any legislation that prevents the successful implementation of the JCPOA. According to the Statement on Administrative Policy. if presented with H.R. 3662. the President will VETO this bill. Lets just take a quick look back at some of the Presidents foreign policy achievements: The capture and neutralization of Osama Bin Laden which brought an end to a nearly decade long manhunt. The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq which helped to bring an end to a costly war. helping our country save billions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer funds. The current Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. which has been instrumental in deterring and stemming Irans nuclear ambitions and enabling security in the global society. The repealing of Dont Ask. Dont Tell. an aspersion on the personal private matters of those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our nation. Signing into law the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). an important treaty that showcases how the U.S leads by example by signing a treaty that requires both the United States and Russia to reduce their nuclear warhead arsenals to 1.550 each. a 30 percent reduction from the 2002 Treaty of Moscow and a 74 percent reduction from the 1991 START treaty. Neutralization of al Qaeda propagandist and foreign fighter recruiter Anwar Al Awlaki. one of the main leaders in the Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Indeed. under President Obamas leadership. our countrys military aid to Israel has increased remarkably with the eye towards deepening and expanding U.S./Israeli relationsan important aspect of our nations foreign policy and geopolitical efforts to promote peace in the region. Not to mention historical deals on the environment vis a vis Cop 21. organizing over 200 nations on strategies to protect the environment and proposed trade deals that will organize and facilitate the United States stamp on the Asian economy. This presidents foreign policy achievements in promoting the security of our nation are irrefutable. Any serious legislation addressing Iran should be done as it has been done up until now. in a bipartisan way. H.R. 3662 is an entirely partisan bill that excluded the participation of all Democratic Members in drafting this measure or supporting it. This bill is fundamentally flawed and I urge all Members to vote against it.