Iran Threat Reduction Act of 2011

Floor Speech

Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1905, the Iran Threat Reduction Act of 2011. This bill promises to meet the threat the Islamic Republic of Iran poses and takes significant, tangible steps in limiting Iran's uranium enrichment and targeting Iran's nefarious activities.

The latest United Nations weapons inspectors' disclosure and International Atomic Energy Agency report on the Islamic Republic of Iran are consubstantial. The Iranian nuclear weapons program is in direct contravention to Iran's ratification of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, endangers regional stability, and poses an unfathomable threat to international security. The Iranian Regime has defied international order and expectations in its undeniable pursuit of nuclear weapons and its close relationship with foreign terrorist organizations.

That is why the Iran Threat Reduction Act of 2011 is so important. These sanctions are right and just based on irrefutable evidence of malice on the international stage. We must declare that it is United States policy to deny, at every juncture, the ability for Iran to fund and pursue its nuclear program and its policy of inciting violence abroad. The Iranian regime's continuous circumvention of past sanctions and continued noncompliance require more aggressive actions.

The only way to ensure the Iranian regime cannot circumvent international will is to take definitive actions. The sanctions in the Iran Threat Reduction Act in conjunction with the language in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 to formally sanction the Central Bank of Iran, CBI, are the steps required at this moment to impede the progress of Iran's ambitions. By sanctioning the CBI and creating accountability to those that deal with Iran, we limit the Iranian leadership's ability to function and directly curtail the infrastructures that sustain Iran's illicit nuclear ambitions and its state-sponsorship of terrorist organizations.

I urge my colleagues to support the Iranian Threat Reduction Act of 2011 and stand with me against the threat posed by the Iranian nuclear program and Iran's known links to various terrorist organizations.

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