Shelby-led committee passes tough Iran sanctions bill over White House objections

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January 29, 2015

WASHINGTON — Alabama Senator Richard Shelby announced Thursday the approval of the “Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015” by the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee, which he chairs.

“I am pleased that the Banking Committee has approved legislation in a bipartisan manner that would impose additional sanctions should Iran fail to reach an agreement by the negotiating deadline,” Chairman Shelby said in a release Thursday morning. “It is clear that further action is necessary to compel Iran to reach an acceptable agreement, which is why I strongly support this critical bill.”

During the committee markup of the bill Thursday morning, Shelby stressed the need for congressional oversight and sustained economic pressure during talks with Iran.

“The legislation would also allow for increased Congressional oversight of the nuclear negotiations with Iran by requiring the President to submit the text of any final agreement with Iran to Congress.
“This legislative effort is long overdue. It is time for Congress to act.”

Earlier this week Sen. Shelby delivered remarks urging the Banking committee to approve strict sanctions on Iran, despite objections from the Obama administration.

Shelby called Obama’s current tactics with Iran “insufficient,” and said he believes it is “not at all clear that the existing sanctions regime will produce a viable nuclear deal that will protect U.S. national security interests.”

The Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 received a favorable vote of 18-4 in the committee, and will soon be voted on by the entire Senate.