Florida’s two U.S. senators–Republicans Marco Rubio and Rick Scott–are backing a bill to “ensure that the president submits any sanctions relief relating to Iran for congressional review,” which “would provide a backstop if the executive branch attempts to evade the legal requirements for congressional review of any agreement related to Iran’s nuclear program contained in the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act.”
At the end of last month, U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., brought out the “Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act (ISRRA)” with more than 30 backers, including Rubio and Scott.
“As Iran’s terror-sponsoring regime continues to pursue nuclear weapons to harm Americans and our regional partners and allies, it is critical to provide insurance if President Biden keeps trying to run around Congress and relieve sanctions on Iran,” said Hagerty. “My legislation will make it abundantly clear to the Biden administration that any agreement made with Iran that involves sanctions relief must be submitted for congressional review.”
U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, who leads Republicans on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on which Rubio and Hagerty sit, is also backing the bill.
“As the Biden administration contemplates another enormous cash windfall to the Iranian regime in exchange for dubious non-proliferation promises, it is vitally important that Congress has a voice in any sanctions relief,” said Risch. “Iran remains actively engaged in supporting Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine, continues to attack our troops and diplomats – most recently killing an American in March, plots assassination attempts against former U.S. officials, and violently quashes protests inside Iran. Congress has an obligation to ensure that sanctions relief does not fund these appalling activities.”
The bill was sent to the Foreign Relations Committee. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. House. With Democrats in charge of the Senate, the bill is not expected to gain much momentum in that chamber.
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