Sen. Cruz Files Sanction Iran, Safeguard America Act

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, today filed legislation to impose sanctions against Iran to help safeguard America.

“The recent extension of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program and further relaxation of economic sanctions is confirmation that the Obama Administration's policy of tempting Tehran to curb its nuclear ambitions through preemptive concessions is indeed a historic mistake,” said Sen. Cruz. “The Iranians still have not taken any serious steps to rein in their nuclear program. The 19,000 centrifuges are still spinning. Not one pound of enriched uranium has left Iran. Research and development of ICBMs continues unchecked.  And, Iran continues to operate the world's most extensive and sophisticated state-sponsored terrorist network.

“It is well past time to reverse this potentially disastrous course,” he said. “A nuclear-armed Iran poses an intolerable existential threat to the United States and our allies; we cannot let this misguided diplomatic process drift on endlessly while they plot our destruction. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in urging President Obama to reverse course before it is too late.”
 
Senator Cruz is a proud original co-sponsor of the Kirk-Menendez legislation that provides a path to reinstate and expand sanctions.
 
Given the Obama Administration’s decision to extend negotiations allowing the Iranians an additional four months and $2.8 billion to finance their network, however, the SISA Act of 2014 provides for an immediate reimplementation of sanctions, additional enforcement mechanisms, and an end to the failed negotiations.
 
Specifically, the SISA Act of 2014:

• Re-imposes all previous sanctions that the Obama Administration relaxed.
• Expands sanctions related to the petrochemical and automotive sector.
• Prohibits funding for negotiations with Iran unless congressional approval is reached.
• Gives Iran a clear path towards their removal: dismantling their nuclear program in its entirety; removing all centrifuges, relinquishing enriched uranium, and ceasing all research and development of the ICBM program.
• Requires Iran to renounce its state-sponsorship of terrorism.

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