Iran Freedom Support Act - Title I: Codification of Sanctions Against Iran - (Sec. 101) States that: (1) U.S. sanctions, controls, and regulations with respect to Iran imposed pursuant to Executive Order 12957, sections 1(b) through 1(g) and sections 2 through 6 of Executive Order 12959, and sections 2 and 3 of Executive Order 13059, as in effect on January 1, 2006, shall remain in effect until the President certifies to the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate that the government of Iran has verifiably dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs; and (2) such certification shall have no effect on specified sanctions relating to Iranian support of international terrorism.
(Sec. 102) States that in cases where an entity engages in an act outside the United States which, if committed in the United States or by a U.S. person, would violate Executive Order 12959, Executive Order 13059, or any other prohibition on transactions with Iran imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and if that entity was created for the purpose of engaging in such an act, the parent company of that entity, if a U.S. person, shall be subject to the penalties for such violation to the same extent as if the parent company had engaged in that act.
Defines "parent company" and "entity."
Title II: Amendments to the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 and Other Provisions Related to Investment in Iran - (Sec. 201) Amends the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 to revise multilateral regime reporting requirements to direct the President to report every six months to the appropriate congressional committees regarding diplomatic and related efforts to establish multilateral pressure on Iran, including a list of countries that have agreed to undertake measures to deny Iran the ability to support acts of international terrorism and fund the development and acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by limiting Iran's ability to exploit its petroleum resources for such purposes.
Authorizes waiver of sanctions (up to six months) against nationals of a country if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) the waiver is vital to U.S. security interests; and (2) such country has undertaken substantial measures to prevent Iran's acquisition and development of weapons of mass destruction.
Directs the President to initiate an investigation leading to the possible imposition of sanctions against a person upon receipt by the United States of credible information that such person is engaged in prohibited petroleum investment activity in Iran.
(Sec. 202) Eliminates the requirement that an entity have "actual knowledge" of its investment in the Iranian petroleum sector before sanctions could be imposed.
Imposes (two or more) mandatory sanctions on a person or entity that aids Iran acquire or develop weapons of mass destruction or destabilizing types and numbers of conventional weapons.
Eliminates the "actual knowledge" requirement in the case of certain affiliates, parents or subsidiaries.
Enlarges the scope of sanctionable entities to include private or government lenders, insurers, underwriters, or guarantors of the person (who has carried out proscribed activities) if the private or government lenders, insurers, underwriters, or guarantors themselves engaged in the prohibited activities.
(Sec. 203) Adds a requirement that Iran be determined to pose no significant threat to U.S. national security, interests, or allies in order to lift sanctions against entities investing in Iran's petroleum industry.
(Sec. 204) Eliminates the sunset provision.
(Sec. 205) Enlarges the definition of "person" to include financial institutions, insurers, underwriters, guarantors, any other business organizations, including any foreign subsidiaries.
(Sec. 206) Directs that the President, not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act and every six months thereafter, ensure Federal Register publication of a list of all U.S. and foreign entities that have invested more than $20 million in Iran's energy sector between August 5, 1996, and the date of such publication.
Expresses the sense of Congress that, upon Federal Register publication of U.S. and foreign entities that have invested in Iran's energy sector, managers of U.S. government pension plans or thrift savings plans, private sector pension plans, and mutual funds should initiate efforts to divest from any listed entity, and make no future investments in such entities.
(Sec. 207) Renames the the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 as the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.
Title III: Diplomatic Efforts to Curtail Iranian Nuclear Proliferation and Sponsorship of International Terrorism - (Sec. 301) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to secure U.N. Security Council support for a sanctions resolution on Iran as a result of repeated breaches of its nuclear nonproliferation obligations, which shall remain in effect until Iran has verifiably dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs.
Provides that, if, on or after April 13, 2005, a foreign person or agency or instrumentality of a foreign government has more than $20 million invested in Iran's energy sector the President shall, until termination of such investment, withhold assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to the government of the country to which such person owes allegiance or to which control is exercised over such agency or instrumentality. Authorizes a national security waiver.
(Sec. 302) Declares that it should be U.S. policy to support diplomatic efforts to end Iran's manipulation of Article IV of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty without undermining the Treaty itself.
Title IV: Democracy in Iran - (Sec. 401) Declares that it should be U.S. policy to support independent human rights and peaceful pro-democracy forces in Iran.
States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the use of force against Iran.
(Sec. 402) Authorizes the President to provide financial and political assistance to eligible foreign and domestic individuals and groups that support democracy in Iran, including assistance for radio and television broadcasting into Iran. Prohibits assistance from being used to support the use of force against Iran.
States that assistance may be provided only to an individual, organization, or entity that: (1) officially opposes the use of violence and terrorism and has not been designated as a foreign terrorist organization during the preceding four years; (2) advocates Iran's adherence to nonproliferation regimes for nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and materiel; (3) supports adoption of a democratic government in Iran; (4) is dedicated to respect for human rights, including equality of women; (5) works to establish equality of opportunity for people; and (6) supports freedoms of press, speech, association, and religion.
Expresses the sense of Congress that contacts should be expanded with eligible opposition groups in Iran.
Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 403) Authorizes the Secretary of State to obtain a license for the export to, or by, any person to whom the Department of State has provided a grant under a program to promote democracy or human rights abroad, any item which is commercially available in the United States without government license or permit, to the extent that such export would be used exclusively for carrying out the purposes of the grant.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 282 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 282
To hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening
behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 6, 2005
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen (for herself, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Berman, Mr.
Cantor, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Bachus, Ms. Berkley, Mrs.
Biggert, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Cox,
Mr. Crowley, Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia, Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of
Florida, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Engel, Mr. Faleomavaega,
Mr. Foley, Mr. Garrett of New Jersey, Mr. Green of Wisconsin, Ms.
Harris, Mr. Israel, Mr. Johnson of Illinois, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Larsen of
Washington, Mr. McCotter, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Mica, Mrs. Myrick, Mr.
Nadler, Mr. Norwood, Mr. Nunes, Mr. Pence, Mr. Platts, Mr. Porter, Mr.
Rothman, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin, Mr. Saxton, Mr.
Sherman, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Souder, Mr.
Sullivan, Mr. Tancredo, Mr. Weller, Mr. Wexler, and Mr. Wilson of South
Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening
behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Freedom Support Act''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN
Sec. 101. Codification of sanctions.
TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN AND LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996
Sec. 201. Multilateral regime.
Sec. 202. Imposition of sanctions.
Sec. 203. Termination of sanctions.
Sec. 204. Sunset.
Sec. 205. Clarification and expansion of definitions.
TITLE III--DEMOCRACY IN IRAN
Sec. 301. Declaration of Congress regarding United States policy toward
Iran.
Sec. 302. Assistance to support democracy in Iran.
Sec. 303. Sense of Congress regarding designation of democratic
opposition organizations.
TITLE I--CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN
SEC. 101. CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) Codification of Sanctions Related to Weapons of Mass
Destruction.--United States sanctions, controls, and regulations
relating to weapons of mass destruction with respect to Iran, as in
effect on the date of enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect,
until the President certifies to the Committee on International
Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate that the Government of Iran has permanently and
verifiably dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs and has
committed to combating the proliferation of such weapons.
(b) No Effect on Other Sanctions Relating to Support for Acts of
International Terrorism.--Notwithstanding a certification by the
President under subsection (a), United States sanctions, controls, and
regulations relating to a determination under section 6(j)(1)(A) of the
Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)(1)(A)),
section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2371(a)), or section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C.
2780(d)) relating to support for acts of international terrorism by the
Government of Iran, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act, shall remain in effect.
TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN AND LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996
SEC. 201. MULTILATERAL REGIME.
(a) Reports to Congress.--Section 4(b) of the Iran and Libya
Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended to read as
follows:
``(b) Reports to Congress.--Not later than six months after the
date of the enactment of the Iran Freedom Support Act and every six
months thereafter, the President shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report regarding specific diplomatic efforts
undertaken pursuant to subsection (a), the results of those efforts,
and a description of proposed diplomatic efforts pursuant to such
subsection. Each report shall include--
``(1) a list of the countries that have agreed to undertake
measures to further the objectives of section 3 with respect to
Iran;
``(2) a description of those measures, including--
``(A) government actions with respect to public or
private entities (or their subsidiaries) located in
their territories, that are engaged in Iran;
``(B) any decisions by the governments of these
countries to rescind or continue the provision of
credits, guarantees, or other governmental assistance
to these entities; and
``(C) actions taken in international fora to
further the objectives of section 3;
``(3) a list of the countries that have not agreed to
undertake measures to further the objectives of section 3 with
respect to Iran, and the reasons therefor; and
``(4) a description of any memorandums of understanding,
political understandings, or international agreements to which
the United States has acceded which affect implementation of
this section or section 5(a).''.
(b) Waiver.--Section 4(c) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is
amended to read as follows:
``(c) Waiver.--
``(1) In general.--The President may, on a case by case
basis, waive for a period of not more than six months the
application of section 5(a) with respect to a national of a
country, if the President certifies to the appropriate
congressional committees at least 30 days before such waiver is
to take effect that--
``(A) such waiver is vital to the national security
of the United States; and
``(B) the country of the national has undertaken
substantial measures to prevent the acquisition and
development of weapons of mass destruction by the
Government of Iran.
``(2) Subsequent renewal of waiver.--If the President
determines that such is appropriate, the President may, at the
conclusion of the period of a waiver under paragraph (1), renew
such waiver for a subsequent period of not more than six
months.''.
(c) Investigations.--Section 4 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) Investigations.--
``(1) In general.--Upon public or private disclosure of
activity related to investment in Iran by a person as described
in this Act, the President shall direct the Secretary of the
Treasury to initiate an investigation into the possible
imposition of sanctions against such person as a result of such
activity, to notify such person of such investigation, and to
provide a recommendation to the President for such purposes.
``(2) Determination and notification.--Not later than 90
days after the date of the disclosure of the activity described
in paragraph (1), the President shall determine whether or not
to impose sanctions against such person as a result of such
activity and shall notify the appropriate congressional
committees of the basis for such determination.
``(3) Publication.--Not later than 10 days after the
President notifies the appropriate congressional committees
under paragraph (2), the President shall ensure publication in
the Federal Register of--
``(A) the identification of the persons against
which the President has made a determination that the
imposition of sanctions is appropriate, together with
an explanation for such determination; and
``(B) the identification of the persons against
which the President has made a determination that the
imposition of sanctions is not appropriate, together
with an explanation for such determination.''.
SEC. 202. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) Sanctions With Respect to Development of Petroleum Resources.--
Section 5(a) of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C.
1701 note) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``to Iran'' and inserting
``to the Development of Petroleum Resources of Iran'';
(2) by striking ``(6)'' and inserting ``(5)''; and
(3) by striking ``with actual knowledge,''.
(b) Sanctions With Respect to Development of Weapons of Mass
Destruction or Other Military Capabilities.--Section 5(b) of such Act
(50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Mandatory Sanctions With Respect to Development of Weapons of
Mass Destruction or Other Military Capabilities.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, the President shall impose two or more of the
sanctions described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 6 if the
President determines that a person has, on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act, exported, transferred, or otherwise provided to
Iran any goods, services, technology, or other items the provision of
which has contributed to the ability of Iran to--
``(1) acquire or develop chemical, biological, or nuclear
weapons or related technologies; or
``(2) acquire or develop destabilizing numbers and types of
advanced conventional weapons.''.
(c) Persons Against Which the Sanctions Are to Be Imposed.--Section
5(c)(2) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) is a private or government lender, insurer,
underwriter, re-insurer, or guarantor of the person
referred to in paragraph (1) if that private or
government lender, insurer, underwriter, re-insurer, or
guarantor, with actual knowledge, engaged in the
activities referred to in paragraph (1).''.
(d) Effective Date.--Sanctions imposed pursuant to the amendments
made by this section shall apply with respect to investments made in
Iran on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 203. TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) Removal of Libya.--Section 8 of the Iran and Libya Sanctions
Act 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking the subsection
designation and heading; and
(2) by striking subsection (b).
(b) No Threat Posed.--Such section, as amended by subsection (a),
is further amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) poses no threat to United States national security,
interests, or allies.''.
SEC. 204. SUNSET.
Section 13 of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C.
1701 note) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``; sunset'';
(2) in subsection (a), by striking the subsection
designation and heading; and
(3) by striking subsection (b).
SEC. 205. CLARIFICATION AND EXPANSION OF DEFINITIONS.
(a) Person.--Section 14(14)(B) of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act
of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
(1) by inserting after ``trust'' the following:
``, financial institution, insurer, underwriter, re-insurer,
guarantor''; and
(2) by striking ``operating as a business enterprise''.
(b) Petroleum Resources.--Section 14(15) of the Iran and Libya
Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by inserting
after ``petroleum'' the following: ``, petroleum by-products,''.
TITLE III--DEMOCRACY IN IRAN
SEC. 301. DECLARATION OF CONGRESS REGARDING UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD
IRAN.
Congress declares that it should be the policy of the United States
to support independent human rights and pro-democracy forces in Iran.
SEC. 302. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN IRAN.
(a) Authorization.--The President is authorized to provide
financial and political assistance (including the award of grants) to
foreign and domestic individuals, organizations, and entities that
support democracy and the promotion of democracy in Iran and that are
opposed to the non-democratic Government of Iran. Such assistance may
include the award of grants to eligible independent pro-democracy radio
and television broadcasting organizations that broadcast into Iran.
(b) Eligibility for Assistance.--Financial and political assistance
under this section may be provided to an individual, organization, or
entity that--
(1) officially opposes the use of terrorism;
(2) advocates the adherence by Iran to nonproliferation
regimes for nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and
materiel;
(3) is dedicated to democratic values and supports the
adoption of a democratic form of government in Iran;
(4) is dedicated to respect for human rights, including the
fundamental equality of women;
(5) works to establish equality of opportunity for people;
and
(6) supports freedom of the press, freedom of speech,
freedom of association, and freedom of religion.
(c) Funding.--The President may provide assistance under this
section using--
(1) funds available to the Middle East Partnership
Initiative (MEPI), the Broader Middle East and North Africa
Initiative, and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); and
(2) amounts made available pursuant to the authorization of
appropriations under subsection (g).
(d) Notification.--Not later than 15 days before each obligation of
assistance under this section, and in accordance with the procedures
under section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2394-l), the President shall notify the Committee on International
Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(e) Sense of Congress Regarding Coordination of Policy and
Appointment.--It is the sense of Congress that in order to ensure
maximum coordination among Federal agencies, if the President provides
the assistance under this section, the President should appoint an
individual who shall--
(1) serve as special assistant to the President on matters
relating to Iran; and
(2) coordinate among the appropriate directors of the
National Security Council on issues regarding such matters.
(f) Sense of Congress Regarding Diplomatic Assistance.--It is the
sense of Congress that--
(1) contacts should be expanded with opposition groups in
Iran that meet the criteria under subsection (b);
(2) support for a transition to democracy in Iran should be
expressed by United States representatives and officials in all
appropriate international fora;
(3) representatives of the Government of Iran should be
denied access to all United States Government buildings;
(4) efforts to bring a halt to the nuclear weapons program
of Iran, including steps to end the supply of nuclear
components or fuel to Iran, should be intensified, with
particular attention focused on the cooperation regarding such
program--
(A) between the Government of Iran and the
Government of the Russian Federation; and
(B) between the Government of Iran and individuals
from China, Malaysia, and Pakistan, including the
network of Dr. Abdul Qadeer (A. Q.) Khan; and
(5) officials and representatives of the United States
should--
(A) strongly and unequivocally support indigenous
efforts in Iran calling for free, transparent, and
democratic elections; and
(B) draw international attention to violations by
the Government of Iran of human rights, freedom of
religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the
press.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of State such sums as may be necessary
to carry out this section.
SEC. 303. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING DESIGNATION OF DEMOCRATIC
OPPOSITION ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Initial Designation.--It is the sense of Congress that, not
later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
President should designate at least one democratic opposition
organization as eligible to receive assistance under section 302.
(b) Notification Requirement.--Not later than 15 days before
designating a democratic opposition organization as eligible to receive
assistance under section 302, the President shall notify the Committee
on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate of the proposed designation.
If the President determines that such is appropriate, such notification
may be in classified form.
<all>
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 - 3.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 109-417.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 109-417.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 226.
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1754-1774)
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 282.
FURTHER DEBATE - By unanimous consent, the House proceeded with an additional 40 minutes of debate on H.R. 282, equally divided and controlled.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1785-1786)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 21 (Roll no. 105).(text: CR H1754-1757)
Roll Call #105 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 21 (Roll no. 105). (text: CR H1754-1757)
Roll Call #105 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.