Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3033. For the past 26 years, Congress and the executive branch have worked together to put pressure on Iran's energy sector to deny Iran funds for implementing its nefarious nuclear program and state-sponsored terror activities.

The Iran Sanctions Act, or ISA, originally passed into law in 1996 and has been the key statutory element undergirding our sanctions infrastructure.

Since 1996, Congress has built upon this legislation multiple times and has expanded the list of transactions that are considered violations of the ISA. These sanctions, combined with sanctions on Iran's financial system and petroleum transactions, and together with aggressive diplomacy, are what drove Iran to the negotiating table to finalize the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The JCPOA effectively shut off every pathway to an Iranian nuclear weapon before it was unwisely torn down in 2018, leaving us in the dangerous position we are now in.

The ISA is the only major Iran sanctions statute that contains a sunset provision. In general, sunset provisions have value. They force Congress to re-evaluate and reconsider sanctions to adjust to new situations.

Therefore, we must all ask ourselves an important question: Under what circumstances can Congress envision the necessity of abandoning our sanctions infrastructure while this regime is in power? Even in the instance a new Iran deal is reached and successfully implemented, I believe we would want this sanctions infrastructure in place, just as it was under the JCPOA, so that Iran and the international community knows what awaits them if progress is not made.

Furthermore, if Congress loses this sanctions infrastructure, we will be ceding even more of our authority to the executive branch of government, who will solely rely on its executive powers to implement sanctions unbound by the program developed by the United States Congress.

This legislation sends an important message. It protects an important statute, and it serves the interests of the American people.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3033 reinforces our existing sanctions infrastructure, eliminating the sunset provision of the original Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

Although I believe that sunset clauses are important, previous provisions in U.S. sanctions-related legislation compelling Congress to reassess sanctions, the ISA is the only major Iran-related sanctions statute with a sunset clause.

Even if the United States does manage to negotiate a new Iran deal to end Tehran's nuclear weapons program, the ISA is an important deterrent and reminder to Iran what awaits should they rescind the deal.

Additionally, losing the ISA at any point would only further cede more power to the executive branch of government with its executive powers to implement sanctions.

Therefore, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3033, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Madam Speaker, just 2 days ago, the world was sadly stunned by the Iranian unprecedented attack on the civilian population of Israel. The regime in Tehran is committed to threatening the United States and our ally Israel.

Iran is not going to voluntarily stop sponsoring the puppets that they have of Hezbollah, the Houthis, or Hamas. They are not going to give up their missiles and drones out of the goodness of their hearts. They are most certainly not going to stop their nuclear program. They truly do believe and chant in their parliament, in English: ``Death to Israel. Death to America.''

The Iran threat is wide-ranging and multifaceted, and the Iran Sanctions Act is a foundation of tools to combat it. We know this threat isn't going away anytime soon, so let's stop fooling ourselves that a sunset makes any sense on these provisions.

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to have the bipartisan support with Ranking Member Greg Meeks, working with Chairman Mike McCaul, and that we are here today.

I urge my colleagues to join in bringing our statutes in line with the strategic reality on the ground.

Madam Speaker, additionally, Representative Michelle Steel is to be appreciated. Even before the attacks took place, she brought this issue up to address the murderous conduct of the regime in Tehran.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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