Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, there is no debate in Congress about the nature of the Iranian Government. The Supreme Leader of Iran murders, tortures, and abuses his own people. He denies Iranian citizens freedom and democracy. He guides proxy forces meant to destabilize numerous regional countries. He has threatened to wipe Israel off the map, and he is developing a nuclear program that has stockpiled enough highly enriched uranium for several nuclear warheads. I believe there must be costs associated with this behavior, and the United States is delivering those costs.

The Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability Act, or the MAHSA Act, is a bill that would require the President of the United States to determine whether high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic regime in Iran should be listed under existing U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses and support of terrorism. If an Iranian person or entity is found to meet these criteria, the legislation strongly encourages the executive branch to sanction that person or entity to the fullest extent of the law.

Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats understand the despicable nature of Iran's Supreme Leader and his regime and the need to hold them accountable. The Supreme Leader is currently sanctioned under executive order 13876 which blocks the property of the Supreme Leader and his office, as well as persons determined to have provided material support to the Supreme Leader or his office.

As of April 20, 2023, 112 persons have been designated for sanctions pursuant to this order--75 entities, 36 individuals, and one vessel.

Some of these designations were made by the Trump administration, and some have been made by the Biden administration. The Supreme Leader is fully cut off from the American financial system and is not allowed to travel to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, it is worth noting that other prominent Iranian leaders currently under strict American sanctions include President Raisi, two of Iran's vice presidents, and seven cabinet ministers, including the Ministers of Communication, Culture, Defense, Intelligence, Interior, and Petroleum. Companies and subsidiaries tied to the Supreme Leader in the sectors of energy, textiles, mining, chemicals, and financial services are all under strict sanctions.

Let me be clear: there are more sanctions on the Supreme Leader and his cronies today than there were 1\1/2\ years ago. Applying maximum pressure on the Supreme Leader is an entirely bipartisan priority. We must always do more. Enforcement can be tighter. Legislation with transparency mechanisms such as the MAHSA Act provide value to the Congress and our Iran policy oversight efforts.

During committee consideration of the MAHSA Act, I voted to move the bill to the floor despite having reservations that the text as currently drafted could damage national security waivers found in the underlying statute. Though the bill improved throughout the negotiations process with the majority, an amendment was offered, which was adopted over the committee Democrats' objections, that undermines some of the progress we achieved before markup.

During a future conference process with the Senate, we want to assure this legislative text will not harm any President's ability to adjust any potential national security event vis-a-vis Iran, including addressing the nuclear issue. We also hope to streamline the reporting requirements to make them feasible for OFAC and the Treasury Department to deliver to Congress.

We look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan manner on crafting a final bill that continues to put pressure on the Supreme Leader of Iran and those who support his nefarious efforts. In the meantime, I will vote to advance the current draft from the House in order to prepare for negotiations with the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, I will vote in support of this measure as it is crucial that we continue to pressure the Supreme Leader of Iran and his cronies and enablers, but I look forward to further refining the text with our Senate colleagues to make this the best bill possible.

Mr. Speaker, I also note that I join Chairman McCaul and Representative Doggett in acknowledging that it has been nearly 1 year since the tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. We will always remember her global impact not just for the girls and women of Iran, but for girls and women all over the world.

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