During this year’s NORPAC Mission to Washington, participants talked with Members of Congress about the importance of deterring Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons capability. One bill in particular which was brought to the attention of House Members was H.R. 850 – The Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013. This bill places the toughest sanctions on Iran yet, and solidifies the United States’ position on deterring Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. It is set to be voted on very soon in the House of Representatives.

Sponsored in bipartisan fashion by Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Eliot Engel (D-NY), respectively, the bill has picked up great support in the House with currently 378 cosponsors. This bill strengthens current U.S. sanctions on Iran, expands sanctions targeting Iranian human rights violators, and, for the first time, specifically authorizes the President to impose sanctions on any entity that maintains significant commercial ties to Iran – in other words, it authorizes (though it does not mandate) a trade embargo on Iran.

By contrast, today non-U.S. businesses and governments are free to transact with Iran, without penalty, outside specified areas such as energy, military, transportation, etc. Sanctions must be broadened and enforced as Iran continues to try to find ways to evade existing sanctions.

Negotiations are important, but the Iranian government has used them to stall while they continue enhancing their ability to produce bomb grade fissile material.

Negotiations have the best chance of succeeding if our government’s determination to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons capability is reinforced through the broadening and greater enforcement of sanctions.   

Please take a few moments today to contact the offices of Representatives who you met on our Mission this year. You can find their contact information in the Directory of Representatives.

Thank you for your help. NORPAC’s Website