WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, along with Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), introduced the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act (SISA), legislation to make permanent the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. Cementing these sanctions will advance national security by restraining Iran from engaging in malign activities that threaten the United States and its allies. SISA also ensures that America’s sanctions regime continues to apply pressure on Iran as the regime continues its dangerous nuclear escalation.
“The Iranian regime continues to increase its nuclear and ballistic missile investments and its support for terrorism and militancy in the Middle East, as further shown by the recent Iranian-backed drone strike in Syria that killed an American citizen,” said Senator Hagerty. “I’m pleased to be an original co-sponsor of the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act, a bill that will make permanent the Iran Sanctions Act, a cornerstone law in America’s broader sanctions program against Iran’s terror-sponsoring regime. The United States should not ease sanctions unless and until the Iranian regime ends its malign and destabilizing behavior.”
“As evidenced by the recent Iranian-backed drone strike in Syria that tragically killed South Carolinian Scott Dubis and the recent seizure of a U.S. bound oil tanker, it is clear that Iran continues to engage in destabilizing activities that threaten the safety of America, Israel, and our other partners in the region,” said Senator Scott. “Cementing these sanctions will apply pressure on Iran and help restrain this regime from developing weapons that threaten safety and security around the world.”
“Iran continues to pose a significant threat to the U.S. and our allies, including Israel,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan bill is an important part of our efforts to pressure Iran and restrict its ability to destabilize the Middle East and develop dangerous weapons.”
“Sanctions have been critical in holding Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions, including support for terrorist proxies,” said Senator Rosen. “With Iran closer than ever to a nuclear weapon, I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation that applies pressure on the Iranian regime.”
Background:
In 1996, Congress passed the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), which allowed the president to impose secondary sanctions on Iran’s energy sector. Throughout the years, ISA provisions were expanded to include other Iranian industries. ISA consists of “triggers” that place sanctions on firms or entities that violate U.S. sanctions under this law. As Iran continues its nuclear enrichment towards a weapons-grade level, it is essential that the United States solidifies its pivotal sanctions to apply pressure toward the rogue regime. The Solidify Iran Sanctions Act removes the sunset provision in the ISA and signals that the U.S. remains firmly committed to sanctioning the regime until it changes its malign behavior.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
###