By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Thursday, December 1, 2016, the US Senate passed the Iran Sanctions Extension Act. US Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) supported passage of the bipartisan bill which would continue US economic sanctions against the country which is ruled by an Islamic Revolutionary regime that has been very hostile towards the United States.
Sen. Shelby said in a statement, “The Iran Sanctions Extension Act underscores America’s commitment to holding the world’s leading state sponsor of terror accountable. Maintaining our sanctions policy is critical to keeping Americans and our allies safe, and I’m pleased that we are sending a strong message to Iran that there are consequences for its dangerous behavior.”
Sen. Shelby said, “While this bill is an important and necessary step, I look forward to a comprehensive review of our Iran policies in the new Congress. President Obama’s nuclear deal has placed the United States in a position of weakness and we must make certain that the rogue nation is never given the upper-hand.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) said that the bill would preserve existing sanctions set to expire at the end of the year, is critical given Iran’s “continued pattern of aggression” and “efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the region.”
Sen. McConnell said, “This is even more important given how the current administration has been held hostage by Tehran’s threats to withdraw from the nuclear agreement, and how it has ignored Iran’s overall efforts to upset the balance of power in the greater Middle East.”
The Iran Sanctions Extension Act, HR6297, has already passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 419-1.
US Representative Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) said when it passed the House, “Extension of ISA is critical to ensuring that our country maintains the upper hand in these negotiations with the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.
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The Senate passed the bill 99 to 0. The bill now goes to President Barack H. Obama who negotiated a deal with Iran to end the sanctions.
Some foreign policy experts warn that the move could antagonize the Iranian Government. President-elect Donald J. Trump has campaigned heavily against President Obama’s deal with Iran.
Senator Richard Shelby was recently elected to his sixth term representing the people of Alabama in the United States Senate.
