H.R. 3364 Endangers U.S. Troops and Pushes Trump to Violate the Iran Nuclear Deal
Congress is considering passage of H.R. 3364, “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.” This bill, the Iran-related parts of which passed the Senate in June (S. 722), would pose a risk of sparking military conflict with Iran and encouraging President Trump to act in breach of U.S. commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal between the U.S., other major world powers, and Iran. Congress should avoid voting for passage of this bill absent legislative changes to ensure the U.S.’s sustained compliance with the nuclear accord.
Vote Against Iran Sanctions Bill S. 722
NIAC Action urges Senators to vote against S. 722, the ‘Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017.’ Former Obama Administration officials have warned that the legislation would violate the JCPOA. Unfortunately, these concerns were not sufficiently addressed in the Manager’s Amendment. Passage of S. 722 would therefore risk terminating the JCPOA, providing President Trump with a mandate for an escalatory Iran policy, […]
Former Obama Officials Agree S.722 Risks Undermining JCPOA
Former Obama administration officials involved in the JCPOA’s implementation have warned that S.722 violates one or more aspects of the nuclear deal. These former officials include: John Kerry, Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Adam Szubin, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Antony Blinken, Deputy National Security Advisor Avril Haines, Deputy National […]
Background on the Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S. 722)
S. 722 would limit the President’s ability to adhere to U.S. commitments under the JCPOA. Specifically, § 8 of the bill would require the President to provide certification that a person designated pursuant to EO 13382 and 13224 has not engaged in activities for which they were designated for the three-month period preceding any potential de-listing. However, the U.S. is scheduled to de-list a number of Iranian persons and entities designated pursuant to EO 13382 on Transition Day. § 8 of the bill could thus impede the President’s ability to adhere to U.S. commitments and remove those parties from U.S. sanctions lists on the pre-determined schedule. This would be a clear violation of the JCPOA.
Memo: S. 722 Would Designate IRGC a Terror Group
The ‘‘Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017’’ (S. 722) would mandate that the President designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization. According to Section 5 of the bill, “Imposition of Terrorism-Related Sanctions with Respect to the IRGC,” the IRGC would be sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13224 – the foundational […]
Ted Cruz’s Dangerous Pick for Foreign Policy Advisor
Last month Ted Cruz selected far-right, Iran war supporter Frank Gaffney as a top foreign policy advisor. In a city full of war hawks, Gaffney is renowned for inventing claims that President Obama is a Muslim and is aiding America’s enemies, accusing Hillary Clinton of being “associated with the Muslim Brotherhood”, and claiming that Iran “was very […]
Hear The Voices Of Visa Waiver Discrimination
#NoSecondClassCitizens Below are stories from Americans and Europeans whose lives have suddenly been altered by the new discriminatory visa law. After the San Bernardino and Paris attacks, the United States decided to scapegoat Americans of Iranian, Syrian, Sudanese, and Iraqi heritage. Congress did this when they passed legislation that states people who have even visited those four countries should […]