Moran: Iran Sanctions Must Now Be Implemented

Statement

Congressman Jerry Moran made the following comments yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives in support of H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act. H.R. 2194 passed by a vote of 408-8.

"We have before us the toughest, most comprehensive Iran sanctions ever considered by Congress, and I pray that we're not too late. Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, funding and arming terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. It has already produced enough low enriched uranium to produce two nuclear weapons. And since February, Iran has been converting its low enriched uranium to a level of 20 percent, which represents 85 percent of the work necessary to produce weapons-grade fuel," said Moran.

"This legislation imposes critical energy and financial sanctions that, if implemented, will make Iran think twice - at least we hope and pray they will think twice - about continuing their illegal nuclear program. There is a key to all of this: These sanctions must be implemented. For too long, our efforts to stop Iran have been half-hearted. Our determination to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability must exceed Iran's determination to get a bomb. President Obama must immediately enforce these sanctions. We cannot and must not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons capability."

As a sponsor of H.R. 2194, Moran worked vigorously to see this legislation passed, making the case before his colleagues in eight previous speeches since the beginning of 2009.

This legislation sanctions foreign entities that assist Iran in importing refined petroleum or invest in Iran's domestic refining capacity. Although Iran sits atop a wealth of oil and natural gas, it lacks the ability to turn much of that oil into gasoline. The legislation also targets those in the Iranian regime who abuse human rights and prohibits U.S. government contracts from being awarded to foreign companies that provide the Iranian government with technology that can suppress freedom of speech.

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