Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007

IRAN COUNTER-PROLIFERATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - September 25, 2007)

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Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1400, the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, what I call the bipartisan Lantos-Ros-Lehtinen Resolution. We need to prohibit nuclear cooperation between the U.S. and countries who are aiding Iran's nuclear program, and we need to strengthen our current sanctions against Iran.

First, we cannot talk about Iran in a vacuum. We need to pass this resolution and put other pressure on this government. We also need to make sure that we do not leave Iraq and the Middle East to this country. Iran is pursuing nuclear capabilities and is one of the world's most egregious exporters of terrorism, funding Hamas, Hezbollah and Iraqi insurgents. We are needing to confront Iran because they are funding the Iraqi insurgents, therefore killing Iraqis who are on our side. They are literally killing our American troops. The seriousness of these facts was made clear when Iran's president threatened to wipe Israel off the map. That is his intent.

In addition, in April 2006, Ayatollah Khamenei told another one of the world's worst human rights abusers, Sudan, that Iran would gladly transfer nuclear technology to it. Khamenei stated, ``The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to transfer the experience, knowledge and technology of its scientists.'' That is a quote. I am hopeful the ongoing discussions between the Iranians and the United Nations to craft a permanent nuclear agreement will be successful. But I am not holding my breath.

It is critical that our Government utilize the tools at our disposal, including economic and diplomatic sanctions and the appropriate distribution of foreign aid to those groups who oppose the current regime to deter the threat Iran poses to global security. It is also appropriate and essential for us to impose pressure on the other nations of the world who prop up the Iranian Government and the extremists at the helm by their investing heavily in that nation.

The bottom line is, in spite of its assurances to the contrary, Iran remains committed to a nuclear weapons program. The United States must be unequivocal in its rejection of these ambitions. We need to realize that if you don't want war with Iran, then we need to make sanctions work.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

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