Sen. Cruz Bill to Prevent Terrorists Entering U.S. as U.N. Ambassadors Passes By Unanimous Consent
Calls on U.S. House to Pass Measure Before Easter Recess
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, today requested and received unanimous consent to pass his bill, S. 2195, which prevents terrorists from entering the United States as United Nations ambassadors. Recently, Iranian President Hasan Rouhani named Hamid Aboutalebi as the nation's new ambassador to the U.N., which is headquartered in Manhattan. Aboutalebi was an active participant in the group that held 52 Americans hostage in Iran from 1979-1981.
"This nomination is part of Iran's clear and consistent pattern of virulent anti-Americanism that has defined their foreign policy since 1979," Sen. Cruz said. "We need to send Tehran an equally clear message: The United States Senate is not going to just ignore this most recent insult, but is going to give our President the authority to affirmatively reject it. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this national security issue that transcends political parties."
In his remarks, Sen. Cruz thanked several Senate colleagues who were instrumental in passage of this legislation, including Sen. Dan Coats (R-Indiana), a cosponsor of the bill, and Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John McCain (R-Arizona), Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), Chuck Schumer (D-New York), Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey).
Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado) has introduced companion legislation, H.R. 4357, for consideration before the U.S. House of Representatives. Sen. Cruz is calling on the House to pass this measure before the Easter recess.
Sen. Cruz introduced S. 2195 on April 1. At the time he said, "It is unconscionable that, in the name of international diplomatic protocol, the United States would be forced to host a foreign national who showed a brutal disregard for the status of our diplomats when they were stationed in his country."
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