U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act:
"I am very pleased that the Senate passed yesterday the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act. I fully support this effort to increase the pressure on the Iranian regime for its support for terrorism and its pursuit of nuclear weapons, but I also believe that we must focus on the appalling human rights violations of the rulers in Tehran. That is why I proposed an amendment to the Iran Sanctions bill that would require the President to compile a list of all officials and other persons in Iran who have committed human rights abuses and acts of violence against Iranian citizens engaging in peaceful political activity. These designated criminals would then be targeted by the United States for visa bans. Any assets they hold in the United States or under U.S. jurisdiction would be frozen. And they would be singled out for major financial and banking sanctions. This legislation enjoys bipartisan support, and it is exactly what we need to impose crippling and targeted consequences on the oppressors of the Iranian people, especially members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.
"In order to ensure the quick and unanimous passage of the Iran Sanctions bill, I chose not to introduce my amendment yesterday. I was pleased to hear both Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell express their support for my amendment and pledge to work to include it in the bill in conference. I will do everything in my power to achieve this goal, because the Iranian people's struggle for freedom and justice is vital to our national interest, and the United States must take their side in this fight."