Sens. Cruz Introduces Legislation to Block Biden Administration From Allowing Iranian President into U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reintroduced the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act, or SEVER Act, to block the Biden administration from allowing Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other sanctioned individuals linked to the Iranian regime to enter the United States.
Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “President Biden has agreed to a secret nuclear deal with the Iranian regime, complete with side deals that include ransom payments and promises not to enforce sanctions. He is also again allowing the Ayatollah’s hand-picked President to come to New York and propagandize on behalf of the regime across New York City. These acts are as reckless as they are outrageous. Raisi is a monster who has called for the assassination of President Trump and other U.S. officials and committed horrific abuses against the people of Iran. He is sanctioned and supposed to be ineligible to enter the United States. The SEVER Act is targeted legislation that would do what President Biden is unwilling to do—deny Raisi and other Iranian individuals who pose threats to American national security visas into the United States.”
Rep. Tenney said, “As we approach the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly, it is imperative we stop Raisi and his associates from setting foot on American soil. Raisi, whose nickname is ‘the Butcher of Tehran,’ has a record of grave human rights abuses and orchestrating terrorist activities worldwide. Today, I reintroduced the SEVER Act to protect our nation from the threat posed by President Raisi and others connected to the Iranian regime, as well as show the international community that terrorists are not welcome in the U.S.”
BACKGROUND:
This legislation has been introduced ahead of President Raisi’s upcoming attendance at the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly. The SEVER Act would impose visa restrictions on Raisi because he is sanctioned for widespread human rights atrocities and his orchestration of terrorist activities worldwide. Raisi has openly called for the assassination of several American officials, including former President Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The bill is cosponsored by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.). Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.). cosponsors the legislation in the House of Representatives.
Read the text of the bill here.
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