WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2009) — The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) commends the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009 on December 15.
The Iran sanctions bill, which the RJC has long supported, would empower the President to impose sanctions on a person or entity that sells refined petroleum products to Iran or facilitates such trade.
RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said, “This legislation is long overdue and we are glad to see it finally pass in the House. Diplomacy has failed to dissuade Iran from seeking to develop nuclear weapons. A nuclear Iran would be a terrifying threat to American interests and the security of our allies. We must exert the strongest possible economic pressure on the Iranian regime now.
“Since Iran imports much of its gasoline, refined petroleum products are a key economic vulnerability point. However, in recent years the Iranian regime has taken steps to reduce Iran’s dependence on imported gasoline. The window of opportunity for using this means of pressing Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program is closing fast. The Iran sanctions bill in the Senate, which already has 77 co-sponsors, must be brought to a vote as quickly as possible, and the President should sign and implement Iran sanctions legislation before it is too late.
“We are troubled by reports that the administration has asked the Senate to hold this measure until next year and that key Senate Democrats are apparently acceding to this demand. But there’s no time to waste when the countdown to a nuclear Iran is already so far advanced.
“A nuclear Iran would be a nightmare for the U.S., for Israel, for moderate Arab regimes, and for Europe. It is time to get serious about using the non-military means at hand to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, so that more dangerous means may not be necessary.
“We are especially grateful to Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Dan Burton (R-IN), Mike Pence (R-IN), and Mark Kirk (R-IL) for their unwavering efforts to move this vital bill forward.”
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Preceding provided by Republican Jewish Coalition