Kirk Supports Strong, Bipartisan Path to Stopping Iran’s Nuclear Threat

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.)  issued the following statement on the need for Congress to take a strong, bipartisan path forward in stopping Iran’s growing nuclear and terror threats:

“The only way to stop the Iranian terror regime from getting nuclear weapons is to get a decisive bipartisan vote on Iran sanctions legislation.  After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s powerful speech yesterday, it’s now time for Congress to renew bipartisan efforts and to make sure our children never have to witness an Iran-initiated nuclear war in the Middle East.”

Background:

The Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (S. 269), authored by Senators Kirk and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), lays out the bipartisan view of Congress on the minimum standards for a good deal with Iran, and would impose new crippling sanctions if Iran fails to agree to a good deal by June 30, 2015. Known also as the Kirk-Menendez bill, S. 269 was approved by the Senate Banking Committee in a strong, bipartisan 18-to-4 vote on January 29, 2015, and now is within striking distance of a veto-proof majority.

Congressional Veto-Proof Votes on Bipartisan Iran Sanctions:

• The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-195) passed the Senate in a 99-to-0 vote on June 24, 2010, and the House in a 408-to-8 vote on June 24, 2010.
• During consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-81), the Menendez-Kirk amendment to impose Central Bank of Iran (CBI) sanctions passed the Senate in a 100-to-0 vote on December 1, 2011.
• The Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-158) passed the House in a 421-to-6 vote on August 1, 2012, and the Senate in a unanimous voice vote on August 1, 2012.
• During consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112-239), the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, the Menendez-Kirk-Lieberman amendment to impose sanctions on Iran’s energy, shipping, and shipbuilding and port sectors, passed the Senate in a 94-to-0 vote on November 30, 2012.