Royce Supports Iran Threat Reduction Act

January 09, 2012

Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, issued the following statement in support of H.R. 1905, the Iran Threat Reduction Act. Royce is an original cosponsor of the legislation, which is expected to pass the House overwhelmingly.

"Last week, Vice President Biden boasted that sanctions on Iran have ‘caused significant discussion internally’ in Tehran. That’s comforting rhetoric, but the ominous reality is that Iran’s nuclear program is more advanced, more capable and closer than ever to achieving nuclear weapons. The only discussion among the mullahs seems to be – ‘how fast do we move forward?’" said Royce in comments on the House floor.

"If fully implemented – this legislation gives us a better chance of avoiding a nuclear Iran, by tightening the sanctions regime. The bill further targets Iran’s energy sector, which fuels its nuclear program, and targets the Revolutionary Guard Corps. The bill also assists Iranians struggling against the regime in the streets."

Royce, who last year served as a conferee on the "Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act," (CISADA) also pressed for quick Senate action.

"We don’t have time to wait for the Senate to act on this legislation. We can’t afford for these sanctions to be scaled back, as the Obama Administration wants. We don’t have time for delay."