Rep Andrews Praises Recent Passage of Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007

I have long advocated for economic sanctions against Iran as part of an international diplomatic effort to halt the regime's pursuit of nuclear weapons in defiance of the United Nations.  I have specifically advocated for an international restriction on the supply of gasoline to Iran, which would serve as a critical diplomatic tool to deny Iran the ability to further its efforts to acquire nuclear weapons.  I am proud to announce that similar legislation recently passed the House which I feel will have a meaningful effect on Iran. 

The House passed  the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 on Monday. 

This legislation:
-  Contains a Sense of the Congress that the United States should encourage foreign governments to direct state-owned entities to cease all investment in Iran's energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran and to persuade, and, where possible, require private entities based in their territories to cease all investment in Iran's energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran.
-  Contains a twice annual report to Congress on investment by individuals or entities that could increase Iran's ability to develop petroleum resources in Iran.
- Clarifies the 1996 sanctions to include that petroleum should also include refining capacity within the country and the sale of oil tankers to Iran. 
- Eliminates certain tax credits for oil companies investing in Iran.
- Directs the President to determine and report to the committees whether the the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps should be: (1) designated as a foreign terrorist organization; (2) placed on the list of designated global terrorists; and (3) placed on the list of weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters.

I believe implementation of such measures will destabilize the Iranian regime, in turn halting any efforts by the Iranian government to develop a nuclear weapons program. A nuclear Iran would further destabilize the Middle East and present the world with a danger never before realized. This legislation will help to supplement the Unites States' options to require Iran to abandon its nuclear program or face severe economic hardship.  As co-chair of the House Iran Working Group, I will continue to explore ways to deal with this very real threat to our collective security. 

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