By July 2023, members of Congress had introduced more than a dozen bills and resolutions related to Iran. They spanned a wide range of issues, including the government’s human rights violations and nuclear advances. Some of the legislation recommended the enforcement or expansion of U.S. economic sanctions.
Six of the bills and resolutions introduced in the House or Senate had bipartisan support. For example, dozens of Democrats and Republicans sponsored a resolution “expressing support for the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran.” The resolution would condemn human rights abuses and Iran’s support for terrorism. It would also call on the U.S. government and European allies to “hold Iran accountable for breaching diplomatic privileges” and to prevent the ”malign activities of the Iranian regime’s diplomatic missions.”
Three bills were sponsored exclusively by Republicans. Two were intended to restrict the purchase or lease of real estate near U.S. military sites by individuals “connected to or subsidized by” the Islamic Republic. One bill was intended to terminate sanctions waivers issued under the 2015 nuclear deal. “There is absolutely no reason to continue issuing these waivers, which allow Iran and Russia to cooperate on building up Iran’s nuclear program,” said Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), a co-sponsor. “Now the administration says it is committed to countering cooperation between Iran and Russia. They should embrace this legislation.” The following is a summary of all Iran legislation introduced in Congress this year.
H.Res.559 - Resolution Declaring a Nuclear Iran is Unacceptable
Introduced by: Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX)
Sponsorship total: 7 Democrats, 13 Republicans
Status: Introduced on Jun. 27, 2023 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
Summary: Bipartisan legislation to affirm the U.S. commitment to using “all means necessary” to prevent Iran from attaining a nuclear weapon. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution declaring with no ambiguity that Iran must not be able to obtain a nuclear weapon, and that the United States is willing to use all means necessary to prevent a nuclear Iran. Nothing is off the table,” said Rep. McCaul.
S.2210 - Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act
Introduced by: Sen. Bill Haggerty (R-TN)
Sponsorship total: 1 Democrat, 34 Republicans
Status: Introduced on Jun. 22, 2023 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
Summary: This legislation would require Congress to review and approve any actions the President takes to alter sanctions against Iran. “My legislation will make it abundantly clear to the Biden Administration that any agreement made with Iran that involves sanctions relief must be submitted for Congressional review,” said Sen. Hagerty.
H.Res. 492 - Condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights
Introduced by: Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL)
Sponsorship in total: Democrats 28, Republicans 10
Status: Introduced on Jun. 9, 2023 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee consideration and mark-up, ordered to be reported by yeas and nays (33-0) on Jun. 21, 2023
Summary: The resolution calls upon Iran to “end its continuing disregard for protections under Iranian law or internationally recognized safeguards relating to the imposition of the death penalty” and “to commute the sentences for child offenders on death row.”
S.1981 - Iranian Enrichment Monitoring Act of 2023
Introduced by: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Sponsorship in total: 2 Democrats, 1 Republican
Status: Introduced by the Select Committee on Intelligence Jun. 14, 2023
Summary: The bill would require the Director of National Intelligence to notify Congress within 48 hours if Iran attained any amount of uranium enriched above 60 percent purity. “This legislation will ensure that Congress is informed in a timely manner of advancements by Iran regarding their desire to build a nuclear weapon,” Sen. Graham said.
S.1829 - Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act of 2023
Introduced by: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Sponsorship in total: 6 Republicans, 2 Democrats
Status: Introduced on Jun. 6, 2023 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
Summary: The legislation would impose sanctions with respect to persons engaged in the import of petroleum from the Islamic Republic of Iran. A similar resolution, H.R.3774, had been introduced in the House.
H.Res.409 - Condemning the acts of terrorism committed by Iranian military proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, against the people of the State of Israel.
Introduced by: Rep. Carlos Giminez (R-FL)
Sponsorship in total: 18 Republicans
Status: Introduced on May 17, 2023, referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Summary: The resolution condemns the acts of terrorism committed by Iranian military proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, against the people of the State of Israel.
S.Con.Res.2 — “A concurrent resolution commending the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran demonstrating in more than 133 cities and risking their safety to speak out against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses.”
Introduced by: Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Sponsorship in total: 29 Democrats, 20 Republicans, 2 Independents
Status: Introduced on Jan. 26, 2023 and referred to Committee on Foreign Relations
Summary: The resolution would recognize the bravery of protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini on September 22, 2022. It condemns the harassment, censorship, detention, and execution of protesters by Iran’s government. The resolution specifically condemns the hijab law and the killing of Mahsa Amini. It also criticizes the “long history of structural and legal discrimination against women” in Iran and outlines several specific abuses against women. It supports increased sanctions on Iran, efforts to expand internet access to circumvent the regime, and encourages the private sector and international community to join in these efforts. A similar bill, H.Con.Res.7 had been introduced in the House earlier in January.
H.Con.Res.7 — “Condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses against the brave women and men of Iran peacefully demonstrating in more than 133 cities”
Introduced by: Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY)
Sponsorship in total: 37 Democrats, 28 Republicans
Status: Introduced on Jan. 9, 2023, received in the Senate on Jan. 26, 2023 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
Summary: This concurrent resolution commends the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran who are participating in protests to defend their fundamental human rights, and risking their safety to speak out against the human rights abuses committed by the Iranian regime. The resolution condemns the brutal killing of Mahsa Amini; and the violent suppression by the Iranian regime of women and men participating in the current demonstrations. It calls for transparent accountability for all killings of protesters by Iranian security forces. The resolution encourages continued efforts by the Biden Administration to respond to the protests, including the recent sanctioning of the Iranian morality police.
H.Res.100 — “Expressing support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran, and condemning violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian Government.”
Introduced by: Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA-5)
Sponsorship in total: 80 Democrats, 159 Republicans
Status: Introduced Feb. 7, 2023, referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Summary: The resolution would recognize the right of the Iranian people to establish a “democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran.” It would condemn human rights abuses and state-sponsorship of terrorism by the current regime. It would call upon agencies of the United States government, as well as European allies to “hold Iran accountable for breaching diplomatic privileges” and to prevent the ”malign activities of the Iranian regime’s diplomatic missions.”
H.R.869 — “To direct the Secretary of State to review whether certain Iranian officials are eligible for entry into the United States, and for other purposes.”
Introduced by: Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Status: Introduced on Feb. 8, 2023, referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary
Sponsorship in total: 3 Democrats, 2 Republicans
Summary: Full text not yet available. The bill would direct the Secretary of State to review whether certain Iranian officials are eligible for entry into the United States.
H.R.931 — “To require a report on oligarchs and parastatal entities of Iran”
Introduced by: Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN)
Status: Introduced Feb. 9, 2023, referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services
Sponsorship in total: 1 Democrat, 1 Republican
Summary: Full text not yet available. The bill would request a Congressional report on oligarchs and “parastatal” entities in Iran.
S.369 — “A bill to require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review any purchase or lease of real estate near a military installation or military airspace in the United States by a foreign person connected to or subsidized by the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and for other purposes.”
Introduced by: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Sponsorship in total: 7 Republicans
Status: Introduced Feb. 9, 2023, read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Summary: Full text not yet available. The bill would require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review any purchase or lease of real estate near a military installation or military airspace in the United States by a foreign person connected to or subsidized by the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
H.R.917 — “To require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review any purchase or lease of real estate near a military installation or military airspace in the United States by a foreign person connected to, or subsidized by, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and for other purposes.” (House version of the above)
Introduced by: Rep Tony Gonzales (R-TX)
Sponsorship in total: Sponsorship in Total: 1 Democrat, 8 Republicans
Status: Introduced Feb. 9, 2023, referred to the Committees on Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Energy and Commerce, Armed Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure
Summary: Full text not yet available. The bill would require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review any purchase or lease of real estate near a military installation or military airspace in the United States by a foreign person connected to or subsidized by the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
S.256 — “A bill to terminate certain waivers of sanctions with respect to Iran issued in connection with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and for other purposes”
Introduced by: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Sponsorship in total: 13 Republicans
Status: Introduced Feb. 2, 2023, read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Summary: Full text not yet available. Bill would terminate certain waivers of sanctions with respect to Iran issued in connection with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
H.R.589 — “To impose sanctions on the Supreme Leader of Iran and the President of Iran and their respective offices for human rights abuses and support for terrorism”
Introduced by: Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN)
Sponsorship in total: 69 Republicans, 60 Democrats
Status: Introduced Jan 27, 2023, referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Ways and Means.
Summary: Full text not yet available. The bill would impose sanctions on the Supreme Leader of Iran and the President of Iran and their respective offices for human rights abuses and support for terrorism.
H.Amdt.34 — “Amendment No. 86 to H.R.21”
Introduced by: Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
Status: Offered Jan. 26, 2023, agreed to by recorded vote: 418 - 12
Summary: Bill H.R.21 (“The Strategic Production Response Act”) outlines a plan to increase oil and gas production in the US Strategic Reserve. The amendment offered by Rep. Gottheimer requires the Secretary of Energy to ensure the bill will not result in the sale of petroleum products from the US Strategic Reserve to Iran, China, North Korea, or Russia.