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 round-up 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.R.3707: Directs the U.S. to: (1) take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the residents of Camp Liberty/Hurriya in Iraq; (2) provide all necessary assistance to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to process refugee applications by the residents of Camp Liberty/Hurriya and (3) admit the residents of Camp Liberty/Hurriya as refugees in the U.S.
On December 11, 2013, Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA/48th) introduced H.R.3707. The legislation has gained a total of 64 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Representatives Steve Stockman (R-TX/36th) and Mark Amodei (R-NV/2nd) .
H.R.3707 Directs the United States to: (1) take all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the residents of Camp Liberty/Hurriya in Iraq; (2) provide all necessary and appropriate assistance to the United Nations (U.N.) High Commissioner for Refugees to process refugee applications by the residents of Camp Liberty/Hurriya and to secure their safe resettlement outside of Iraq; and (3) admit the residents of Camp Liberty/Hurriya as refugees in the United States and not delay or bar such resettlement because any such resident is or has been a member of, or supports or has supported, organizations or groups that were subject to the Secretary of State’s decision of September 21, 2012. H.R. 3707 also directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress on U.S. efforts to guard the safety of Camp Liberty/Hurriya residents and secure their orderly resettlement.
H.R.4357: A bill to deny admission to any representative to the UN who has engaged in espionage, poses a threat to US, or has engaged in terrorist activity
On April 1, 2014, Representative Doug Lamborn (R-CO/5th) introduced H.R.4357. The legislation gained a total of 50 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom is Representative Steven Palazzo (R-MS/4th).
H.R.4357 would deny admission to the United States to any representative to the United Nations who has engaged in espionage activities against the United States, poses a threat to United States national security interests, or has engaged in a terrorist activity against the United States.
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 281 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Representatives Allyson Schwartz (D-PA/13th), Adam Smith (D-WA/9th), Michael Honda (D-CA/17th), John Barrow (D-GA/12th), Ron Kind (D-WI/3rd), Candice Miller (R-MI/10th), Mike Doyle (D-PA/14th), Ted Poe (R-TX/2nd), Tom Rooney (R-FL/17th), Mark Takano (D-CA/41st), Robert Brady (D-PA/1st), Joseph Crowley (D-NY/14th), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL/8th), Bill Flores (R-TX/17th), Jim Gerlach (R-PA/6th), Bill Huizenga (R-MI/2nd), Alan Nunnelee (R-MS/1st), Mike Simpson (R-ID/2nd), Jeb Hensarling (R-TX/5th), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA/3rd), and Dennis Ross (R-FL/15th).
H.R.4411 aims to prevent Hezbollah and associated entities from gaining access to international financial and other institutions, and for other purposes.
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 127 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Representatives Albio Sires (D-NJ/8th) and Jeff Miller (R-FL/1st).
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.
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