U.S. SENATOR KATIE BRITT BACKS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO SOLIDIFY U.S. SANCTIONS ON IRAN

Washington, D.C., June 27, 2023 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently joined Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) in cosponsoring the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act (SISA) to make permanent the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

Cementing these sanctions would advance national security by restraining Iran from engaging in malign activities that threaten the United States and its allies. SISA would also ensure that America’s sanctions regime continues to apply pressure on Iran amid its continuing dangerous nuclear escalation.

“This legislation sends an important bipartisan message to Iran that the United States will not tolerate continued threats to American national security,” said Senator Britt. “Peace is achieved through strength. We must stand firm against bad actors and ensure that first and foremost, our homeland is protected against aggression. I will always fight for America’s safety, and this act is a strong step to safeguard our nation’s future.”

“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. Cementing these sanctions will apply pressure on Iran and help restrain this regime from developing weapons that threaten safety and security around the world,” stated Ranking Member Scott.

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.

A companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.).

For more information, read the bill text here.

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