Statement On House Passage Of The Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (H.R. 2194)

Statement

"Today I voted against H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009. Iran has long been subject to U.S. economic sanctions and, more recently, to United Nations sanctions, over its uranium enrichment program and support for terror activities. H.R. 2194 significantly expands upon these existing laws by requiring President Obama to impose sanctions against companies that supply Iran with -- or support its domestic production of -- gasoline and other refined petroleum products.

I believe such a heavy-handed approach is misguided and will impair the United States' ability to work with our allies in pursuit of a diplomatic solution in dealing with Iran's nuclear ambitions. I have serious concerns that cutting off the gasoline supply to Iran will not have any effect on changing the Iranian government's behavior. Rather, it will hurt the Iranian people, and I fear it will engender a backlash by Iranians against the U.S. -- not the Iranian regime.

I am pleased that President Obama is attempting to contain Iran's strategic capabilities and regional influence through expanded diplomatic engagement as opposed to the previous Administration's pursuit of a preemptive militaristic strategy. I fully support the Iranian citizens who oppose the governing regime and embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law. Indeed, a recent poll of Iranians found that sixty percent favor restoration of diplomatic relations between their country and the U.S. I cannot support legislation that rejects this Administration's pursuit of diplomacy and may punish the very pro-democracy Iranians our country should be supporting."

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