No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act
Floor Speech
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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5961, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act. If passed, H.R. 5961 would destroy our credibility in negotiation for our nation moving forward on future diplomacy with Iran, putting the U.S.--and the world--in danger of a nuclearized Iran.
Let's be clear: the prisoner swap agreement established earlier this year by President Biden helped eliminate a long-standing obstacle for improving U.S.-Iran relations and was an important step in preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. By passing this legislation, we could be making future negotiations with Iran impossible, and eroding U.S. diplomatic credibility at a time when regional violence is on the rise. This loss of credibility and leverage damages the United States' ability to negotiate for future hostage release, including Israelis being held in Gaza.
This would be the second time the United States has gone back on its word with Iran. Lest we forget, it was former President Trump who threw the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) into chaos when he announced the U.S. would withdraw from the deal in May 2018. Since the U.S. withdrew, Iran announced that it will not limit its stockpile of low-enriched uranium, which is a loss for national security here at home and across the globe.
As my colleague Rep. Gregory Meeks, the Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during the markup of this bill: this is not about being friends with Iran. This is about using the best proven method--diplomacy--to stop Iran's nuclear ambition. It is through diplomacy that we have the best chance of reopening formal nuclear negotiations in the future, and we must keep this possibility alive.
In addition to preserving our negotiating integrity with Iran, I am voting against this bill because the United States has a reputation of providing humanitarian aid to oppressed populations, even when we disagree with their governments. We know that when a population is deprived of food, water, access to medicine, and safe shelter, it makes it easier for oppressive regimes to thrive and control their people. If this bill were to pass, the United States would take the unprecedented step of opening up the possibility of sanctions on humanitarian aid. The civilians of Iran did not choose their government. They will suffer the most under economic sanctions.
For these reasons, I must vote against this legislation.
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