Tax Relief and Fulfilling Our Obligation to Patriotic Soldiers Act of 2009

Madam Speaker, yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted and passed H.R. 2491, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act. While Iran has been noncompliant with both United States and United Nations demands that it stop nuclear enrichment efforts, I could not, in good faith, support this initiative. My vote of ``present'' on this measure should not be interpreted nor misunderstood about a lack of concern regarding the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran. It does not.

Like many of my colleagues, I have significant reservations regarding Iran's violations of its obligations under the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty. The recent rejection by Iran of international organizations to inspect their nuclear capabilities and the threat of expanded nuclear enrichment programs continuing unchecked practically mandate that Congress and President Obama continue to work together. This combined effort must be toward increasing pressure on Iran if multilateral diplomacy reaches no reward. Congress must support President Obama's diplomatic efforts to help curb Iran's activities relating to their nuclear program. Congress must also support this administration's efforts to guarantee human rights and democracy for all people, especially women, in Iran. Congress must continue to forge with the President an all-out effort for diplomacy that is often difficult, but necessary.

H.R. 2491, as enacted, could very well threaten the diplomacy sought by the President. If enacted, the bill could punish the people of Iran who are suffering from its denial of democracy. Over the past few months, we have seen firsthand the discontent amongst Iranians with their government. As a nation, we have a responsibility to ensure that our policy decisions, particularly sanctions, are implemented in a manner which does not detrimentally impact those not at fault. Broad, wide-reaching sanctions on gasoline will not only hit the people of Iran the hardest, but are unlikely to directly impact the government at all. I am not against sanctions. In fact, I think sanctions in light of Iran's dissonance are not only appropriate but needed. However, targeted sanctions that impact those with whom we are at odds versus those that target an entire country are the best way to approach such an important decision.

While it is essential to curtail nuclear threats world-wide, sanctions must be seen as an option only after diplomacy has failed. In his letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, Deputy Secretary of State James

Steinberg stated that the Obama Administration was ``entering a critical period of intense diplomacy to impose significant international pressure on Iran,'' and that sanctions, ``might weaken rather than strengthen international unity and support for our efforts.'' As we proceed in these important times, we must do so carefully, and in a manner that achieves the desired short-termed effect while remaining in accord with our long-term goals.

The decision whether to levy sanctions, particularly in the face of potential threat to peace, is of the utmost importance. Today, H.R. 2194 was brought to the floor under expedited procedures that limit debate and bar amendments reserved for non-controversial legislation. While the bill received overwhelming support, it does not make the subject matter any less controversial.

Iran has had decades of unilateral measures with practically no effect. In order for any sanctions to fully take effect, it must be multilateral. The unilateral approach of this legislation, combined with the potential unintended consequence it may have for the people, and the legislation's curtailing the waiver authority of President Obama so as to undermine the President's flexibility and pursuit of a dual track of diplomacy and unified multilateral pressure, are my reasons for my vote of present on this measure.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to improve this legislation. My goal is to ensure that any sanction bill, signed into law, protects the interests of the United States, ensures that the President can negotiate from a position of strength along our international partners, ensures that human rights and democracy grow for the people of Iran, and prevents another nation from being armed with nuclear weapons.