Reps. Ruben J. Kihuen and Seth Moulton Introduce Bill to Strengthen Iran Ballistic Missile Reporting

Press Release

Today, Reps. Ruben J. Kihuen (NV-4) and Seth Moulton (MA-6) issued the statement below announcing the introduction of H.R. 3078 in the U.S. House of Representatives that extends a presidential reporting requirement on ballistic missile launches or tests conducted by Iran until December 31, 2022. Under current law, the requirement will expire on December 31, 2019:

"Despite condemnation from Congress, the administration, and the U.N. Security Council, Iran has continued to expand its ballistic missile program posing a threat to our national security and that of one of our closest ally in the region, Israel. Our legislation will help ensure a long-term strategy and aid in deterring Iran's ballistic missile program and simply extends an existing requirement that the President notify Congress on Iranian ballistic missile launches or tests until December 2022. This effort garnered bipartisan support last year and is necessary to guarantee the United States take a strong, coordinated stance against Iran's missile program." -- Rep. Ruben J. Kihuen

"Last year, I authored a provision in the annual defense bill requiring the President to notify Congress of any Iranian ballistic missile tests or launches, and to conduct an intelligence assessment to determine if we should apply further sanctions due to their actions. This received bipartisan support and was included in the final bill. As this provision expires at the end of 2019, Rep. Kihuen's bipartisan bill provides a necessary extension of this requirement at a time when the new administration has yet to release their national security strategy as required by law." -- Rep. Seth Moulton

Background:

In 2016, Representatives Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced an amendment to the NDAA that required the President to notify Congress on Iranian ballistic missile launches or tests within two weeks of their occurrence and to conduct an intelligence assessment to determine if they were sanctionable activities.

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