Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I will vote for this legislation to stand with those advocating for human rights in Iran however I have concerns that the legislation could prohibit the President's ability to adjust sanctions as national security conditions warrant. I am hopeful this is the last time that Congress puts forward a sanctions bill without a clear mechanism to remove them as needed.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 589, the Mahsa Amini Human Rights Security Accountability (MAHSA) Act.

This bill would require the President of the United States to impose property- and visa- blocking sanctions on certain individuals and entities affiliated with Iran.

Additionally, this bill would impose requirements that the President periodically make determinations about whether certain existing sanctions apply to specified persons and impose the applicable sanctions, including determinations concerning:

(1) the Supreme Leader of Iran and any official in the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran;

(2) the President of Iran and any official in the Office of the President of Iran; and

(3) any entity overseen by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran which is complicit in supporting human rights abuses or terrorism.

Iran currently faces widespread unrest because of various human rights violations.

In 2022, security forces killed more than 500 persons, including at least 69 children, and arrested more than 19,000 protesters, including children, according to the nongovernmental organization Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Some of those arrested faced the death penalty, including children.

The government also routinely disrupted access to the internet and communications applications to prevent the free flow of information and to attempt to interrupt or diminish participation in protests.

Although the human rights violations in Iran are unacceptable and certainly condemnable and actionable in response, to address this matter in the manner set forth by this bill is concerning.

First, this bill and its text targets the Iran government itself, not individuals in the government.

Because of this, this bill would essentially remain in effect indefinitely, regardless of a change in leadership and political or social agenda.

In addition, this bill is supported by 3 organizations that have previously advocated for military action against Iran (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, United Against a Nuclear Iran, and National Union for Democracy in Iran).

Although these organizations might support this bill with positive intentions, their methods of seeking change might not be the answer if it includes violence.

Iran and its people deserve peace, not additional hardships.

Instead of implementing this act, Congress should investigate the sanctions that are already in place on the Iranian leadership and could consider amending those sanctions.

This bill has been built on positive intentions that seek to solve an important and pressing issue.

However, I think it would benefit us to reexamine already existing sanctions on Iranian leadership.

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