Ro Khanna's statement on why H.R. 158 is bad for Silicon Valley and Diplomacy

Statement

I am strongly opposed to H.R. 158. The bill discriminates against Iranian Americans by making them second class citizens and hurts our Silicon Valley economy.

Iranian Americans are the bedrock of Silicon Valley and have helped found and fund the most influential tech companies. It will be disastrous for the Valley if we make it harder for those of Iranian background -- who often have a strong background in math, science and technology -- to travel to the Valley.

More problematic, H.R. 158 discriminates against American citizens of Iranian origin. Many of them will have to get visas to travel to Europe. Imagine the embarrassment for an Iranian American at a major tech company or tech law firm who has to apply for a visa to take a trip to London or Paris while none of her colleagues have to do so. This is wrong and deprives Iranian Americans of basic equality.

The irony of H.R. 158 is that it does not even mention Saudi Arabia, the real source of radical terrorism (not that we should discriminate against Saudi Americans). In comparison, Iran has a secular population that is highly educated and pro America. H.R. 158 runs the risk of undermining our diplomatic efforts with Iran to make them a strong ally in the region.

STATEMENT ON H.R. 158

I support the President's diplomatic efforts with Iran. America's original sin was the assassination of Mosaddegh in 1953. Prime Minister Mosaddegh simply wanted to nationalize Iranian oil and not be subject to British occupation. I am very sympathetic to what Mosaddegh was trying to do given my own grandfather's time in jail fighting British colonialism. It was America's erroneous policy of overthrowing Mosaddegh that gave rise to the fundamentalist regime in Iran and strained relations between the United States and Iran. President Obama has made great stride in lifting the sanctions and trying to restore our relationship with Iran. H.R. 158 sends exactly the wrong signal at the wrong time and undermines the rapprochement efforts.

When I am in Congress, I will tell the story of the Iranian American community's contribution to Silicon Valley. I will stand up strongly against any bills that discriminate against the community like H.R. 158. The Iranian American community is very similar to the Indian American community in the Valley. The United States, India and Iran also can be allies in fostering the innovation economy.

There is great opportunity for the Iranian American and Indian American communities to form a political coalition around the values of immigration, civil liberties, and innovation and entrepreneurship. I look forward to building the relationship with the Iranian American community for many years to come.

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