Congressional Roundup
Congress is considering a number of legislative initiatives that may be of interest to the Iranian American community. The PAAIA Public Policy Center is pleased to provide a roundup on the status of the legislation. In general, PAAIA focuses on bills and congressional actions concerning three areas: civil liberties, foreign policy towards Iran, and immigration. PAAIA recognizes that it is important that Iranian Americans be informed about legislative initiatives in these areas and the positions that their members of Congress take concerning them.
BILLS & RESOLUTIONS
Foreign Policy
H.RES.109: Condemnation of Persecution of Baha’is
On March 12, 2013, Representative Michael Grimm (R-NY/11th) introduced H.RES.109. The legislation has gained a total of 135 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Representatives Billy Long (R-MO/7th), J. Randy Forbes (R-VA/4th), Mike Coffman (R-CO/6th) and Maxine Waters (D-CA/43rd).
H.RES.109 calls on Iran to release all prisoners being held solely on account of their religion. It calls on the U.S. president and secretary of state, in cooperation with responsible nations, to condemn Iran’s continued human rights violations and demand that prisoners held for their religious beliefs be released. H.RES.109 also urges the president and secretary to impose sanctions on Iranian government officials and other individuals directly responsible to serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran’s Baha’i community.
H.RES.109 has been introduced in the Senate as S.RES.75.
H.R.4411: To prevent Hezbollah and associated entities from gaining access to international financial and other institutions
On April 7, 2014, Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC/11th) introduced H.R.4411. The legislation has gained a total of 314 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Representatives William Keating (D-MA/9th), Raul Labrador (R-ID/1st), Charlie Dent (R-PA/15th), Karen Bass (D-CA/37th), Sam Johnson (R-TX/3rd), Steve Chabot (R-OH/1st), Bruce Braley (D-IA/1st), Judy Chu (D-CA/27th), Louie Gohmert (R-TX/1st), and J. Randy Forbes (R-VA/4th).
H.R.4411 aims to prevent Hezbollah and associated entities from gaining access to international financial and other institutions, and for other purposes.
H.R.4967: To provide congressional review of nuclear agreements with Iran
On June 25, 2014, Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ/8th) introduced H.R.467. The legislation has gained a total of 10 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Representatives Steve Chabot (R-OH/1st), Ron DeSantis (R-FL/6th), John Fleming (R-LA/4th), Steve King (R-IA/4th), Doug Lamborn (R-CO/5th), Scott Perry (R-PA/4th), Bill Posey (R-FL/8th), Matt Salmon (R-AZ/5th), and Ted Yoho (R-FL/3rd).
H.R.4967 aims to provide congressional review of nuclear agreements with Iran.
Click here to view all of the current proposed legislation and policies that impact our community.
