Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, And Divestment Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCONNELL. Obviously, I will not be objecting. I just want to associate myself with the remarks of the Senator from Arizona and to thank him, as well as Senator Lieberman, for their involvement in this issue, as well as the majority leader, and just make one comment.

Frequently, these kinds of unilateral sanction measures make little or no difference. This measure, however, is crafted in such a way that it could actually become effective, with America alone not having to depend on the cooperation of the other countries that tend to be less concerned about whether Iran ultimately becomes armed with nuclear weapons.

So this is an important piece of legislation, as the majority leader said, as Senator McCain has said, and Senator Lieberman has said. It can actually make a difference.

The time to act on this measure is long overdue.

A year ago, the administration came into office with the idea it would try to engage Tehran diplomatically in order to get it to halt its uranium enrichment program. And yet the past year has shown us that the Iranian regime is intent on acquiring the ability to develop a nuclear weapon. This is now abundantly clear.

Our straightforward proposal to provide Iran with nuclear fuel for civilian purposes in exchange for its stockpile of low enriched uranium failed to produce any concessions.

The Iranian regime has shown no interest in limiting its nuclear ambitions. And an entire year was lost as Iran moved closer and closer to its goal.

Some recent highlights from that lost year:

In September, the world learned of Iran's covert uranium enrichment facility in Qom.

That same month, Iran test fired a series of medium and longer range missiles that put U.S. bases in the gulf and our ally, Israel, within range.

In October, the U.N. Security Council and Germany offered to enrich Iran's uranium abroad--an offer that was met by more delay and obfuscation by Tehran.

Deadlines came and went. And just a few days ago, the U.N. Security Council failed to agree on a new round of sanctions.

So here we are, a year later. And what has been the result of diplomatic engagement?

Iran is closer to realizing its nuclear aspirations, and the U.S. has nothing to show for the outreach.

And here is what is at stake:

Standing by and permitting Tehran to satisfy its nuclear ambitions would pose a grave threat to American interests in the Middle East and South Asia. The Iranian government is already a profoundly destabilizing influence in the region. It supports proxies in Iraq and Afghanistan that have killed U.S. and allied troops. It has threatened to wipe one of our closest allies, Israel, off the map. It supports terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas. It ruthlessly suppresses its own citizens for peaceful demonstrations.

If the Obama administration will not take action against this regime, then Congress must.

That is why we are proposing the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act.

This act would direct sanctions at one of Iran's biggest vulnerabilities: its low level refining capacity.

This is a point of leverage we must use sooner rather than later. Time is of the essence.

This legislation cleared the Republican side of the aisle several weeks ago.

We are eager for this measure to pass.

So I urge the Democratic leadership to call this legislation up immediately.

We have lost a year already. We can't afford any further delay.

I urge my colleagues to pass this bill.

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