Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4744) to impose additional sanctions with respect to serious human rights abuses of the Government of Iran, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on H.R. 4744, currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, in January this body came together. It was a near unanimous vote to support the Iranian people, who were engaged in legitimate protests against a very oppressive regime. I want to thank Mr. Mike McCaul here, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Mr. Eliot Engel, the ranking member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs, for their engagement in this issue.

At the time, we were witnessing tens of thousands of Iranians who had taken to the streets in the largest demonstration that we had seen since the Green Revolution of 2009. The protests, aimed at economic stagnation, aimed at widespread corruption--and people were talking about that all the time--aimed at the Revolutionary Guard Corps' control over that economy because they had nationalized, seized, so much of that economy. And quickly we saw that spread across Iran, as Persians sought to exercise the fundamental right of freedom of expression, as people across that country, of every ethnicity and every religion, began to speak out.

Many demonstrators shouted slogans aimed at Iran's costly support for Syria's Bashar al-Assad, if you recall, from reading the press accounts. And they attacked, they argued about the cost, the support that went to the terrorist groups such as Hezbollah. Predictably, the Iranian regime moved swiftly to quash the demonstrations and throttle social media.

More than 1,000 Iranians were jailed, dozens were killed. H. Res. 676 condemned this brutal violence back in January, called for targeted sanctions to hold the regime to account. But today we act to make good on that call, because the bill before us today, Chairman McCaul's H.R. 4744, requires the administration to determine whether senior Iranian officials should be sanctioned for human rights abuses. And it also requires determinations on whether Iranian businesses should be sanctioned for public corruption with respect to those who are involved in corruption. And it mandates sanctions on those officials responsible for Iran's wrongful, politically motivated jailing of U.S. citizens.

Mr. Speaker, for years the regime in Tehran has systematically beat down all opposition inside Iran. It regularly uses brutal tactics back in Iran, including torture and mass executions, as it seeks to export violence and radical ideology abroad as well. I think all of us can think back to that 1979 revolution and contemplate how much better Iran would have been had it not went off onto a path of becoming a rogue state.

As this legislation details, today the regime flagrantly disregards commitments it has made to respect the fundamental rights of the Iranian people. Many of us recall the barbaric mass executions carried out over a 4-month period in 1988. And I dare say, if you know any Persians, if you know people who escaped from Iran, you know that, during that period of time leading up to 1988, there were over 30,000 students and young professionals who lost their lives as a consequence.

We know that the political prisoners there went through a grueling experience, in Evin Prison and other prisons. Many were executed by hanging, many by firing squad. They refused to renounce their political affiliations, and that was the fate that was handed out to them.

And today the regime still persecutes ethnic and religious minority groups; such as, the Baha'i; Christians, of course; Sufi; Sunni; dissenting Shia Muslims. And we all remember the way the ayatollah brutally suppressed the peaceful political dissent during the Green Revolution, during which the previous administration remained embarrassingly silent, in my view. And many of us here on this floor today spoke up often at that time about that dissent during the Green Revolution, because I think this was a real opportunity missed by the United States.

So again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman McCaul and I want to thank Ranking Member Engel for their leadership on this legislation. I am glad we have strong bipartisan support for this measure. Regardless of how one views the Iran nuclear agreement, it is critical that the United States and our allies continue to press Iran for its dangerous and threatening acts that fall outside of the JCPOA.

This is an area where officials from both the Trump and Obama administrations agree, and they agree for good reason here. Remember, this is the same regime that is holding American citizens, including one who is in very poor health, on sham charges in one of the largest ransom schemes, from my standpoint, that was ever devised.

This regime, of course, held its first American hostages in 1979, when it overran our U.S. Embassy. The regime's MO remains the same. It is far past time the regime faced consequences for its attacks on Iranians and Americans alike.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, April 13, 2018.

Hon. Edward R. Royce,

Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing with respect to H.R.

4744, the ``Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking

Accountability Act,'' on which Ways and Means was granted an

additional referral.

As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions

in H.R. 4744 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the

Committee on Ways and Means, I agree to waive formal

consideration of this bill so that it may move expeditiously

to the floor. The Committee on Ways and Means takes this

action with the mutual understanding that we do not waive any

jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or

similar legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately

consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation

moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues

that fall within our jurisdiction. The Committee also

reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate

number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving

this or similar legislation, and requests your support for

such request.

Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter

confirming this understanding, and would ask that a copy of

our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the

Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 4744.

Sincerely,

Kevin Brady,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and the author of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), who chairs the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

In closing, I would again like to thank my colleagues, Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Engel, for their bipartisan leadership to hold Iran accountable, to hold them accountable for their brutality: their brutality in the 1988 massacres, and their brutality in terms of the way they are treating their religious minorities today.

We know that Americans formerly imprisoned by Iran describe being subjected to electric shock and whippings. We have heard that before our committee. We have heard them say that they were denied medical care.

Today, U.S. citizens, such as Siamak and Baqer Namazi, Xiyue Wang, and U.S. permanent resident Nazar Zaka, are all sitting in Iranian jails on bogus accusations of collaborating with a hostile government for espionage. And U.S. citizen Robert Levinson is still missing, and that is more than 10 years after he disappeared in Iran. Our hearts go out to these victims and our hearts go out to their families as we renew our call for the immediate release of all U.S. citizens and permanent residents held in Iran.

With this legislation, we will impose tough sanctions on the regime. And we do that for its corruption, for its attacks on innocent Americans, and for its attacks on Iranians alike.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge support for my bill to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its continued human rights violations.

I introduced the Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act with Congressman Deutch, and I am grateful for Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel's support in this effort.

The Iranian regime continues to perpetrate gross human rights abuses against its own people. They continue to suppress and censor their people's calls for democratic reform. They recklessly use their nation's resources to expand their destabilizing influence and support of terrorism. They continue to engage in corrupt practices, and they continue to illegally detain and imprison our citizens without just cause. This is simply unacceptable.

Mr. Speaker, this bill serves as a clear signal to the people of Iran that we support their quest for freedom. It shines a light on the regime's human rights violations and targets Iranian officials guilty of corruption, censorship, and the diversion of goods intended for the Iranian people. It requires the President to work with our international partners to develop a strategy to end this inhumane behavior and sanctions those officials complicit in those crimes. Finally, it sanctions those individuals who take Americans hostage.

Mr. Speaker, today, there are more than six American citizens and permanent U.S. residents held by the Iranian regime in a shameful attempt to use innocent human lives as political bargaining chips. These hostages include: Bob Levinson, Congressman Deutch's constituent, who has been missing since 2007 and remains America's longest held hostage; Siamak Namazi and his 81-year-old father, Baquer, held since 2015 and 2016, respectively; Ph.D. student, Xiyue Wang, held since 2017; internet freedom activist, Nizar Zakka, held since 2016; and others.

The United States has a moral responsibility to devote resources to these hostages and make their return a priority. I sent a letter with Congressman Lieu and 46 other Members of Congress requesting that the administration keep Congress informed as to what steps they are taking to guarantee this happens.

So, again, I thank the chairman and ranking member, Congressman Deutch, for their leadership on this bipartisan effort to hold Iran accountable.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the letter dated April 23, 2018.

Congress of the United States,

Washington, DC, April 23, 2018.

Hon. John J. Sullivan,

Acting Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State,

Washington, DC.

Dear Acting Secretary Sullivan: We write to request

information regarding the Administration's efforts to secure

the release of American citizens and permanent U.S. residents

held hostage by the government of Iran.

As you know, Iran has a long history of unjustly holding

hostages in violation of international law dating back to

1979. Over the years, the Iranian regime has arrested dozens

of foreigners on spurious charges and convicted them in sham

trials held in secretive courts. Many of the detained

American citizens and permanent residents are also held in

deplorable conditions, where they experience severe health

and psychological issues.

Today, there are more than six American citizens and

permanent U.S. residents held by the Iranian regime in a

shameful attempt to use innocent human lives as political

bargaining chips. These hostages include Bob Levinson, who

has been missing since 2007 and remains America's longest-

held hostage; Siamak Namazi and his 81-year-old father

Baquer, held since 2015 and 2016, respectively; PhD student

Xiyue Wang, held since 2016; internet freedom activist Nizar

Zakka, held since 2016; and others. The United States has a

moral responsibility to devote resources to these hostages

and make their return a priority.

This past month, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed

H.R. 4744, the Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking

Accountability Act, to increase U.S. leverage by levying new

sanctions on those responsible for detaining U.S. citizens or

legal permanent respondents in Iran. But more sticks must be

complemented with a coordinated diplomatic effort with our

allies.

According to media reports, the State Department has

increased efforts in recent months to secure the release of

these hostages, including outreach to the Iranian regime in

December 2017 that has gone unanswered. On April 6, 2018, the

Department outlined efforts that have been undertaken in a

report to Congress pursuant to Section 110 of the Countering

America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. We request that

the Department provide some additional details to Congress.

Specifically, please provide answers to the following

questions in either written responses or a briefing:

1. How has Iran responded to the various lines of effort

made by the U.S., as detailed in the April 6 report to

Congress, to raise the detention cases?

2. According to a June 20, 2017, article from the

Washington Post, two senior officials from the Trump

administration stated a range of options were being

considered, which included ``sticks more than carrots.'' What

specific tools are being considered to secure the release of

detained Americans and permanent U.S. residents?

3. Does the Administration require any new authorities from

Congress to utilize these tools?

4. What is the Administration's strategy for

disincentivizing and deterring foreign

governments, particularly Iran, from taking Americans and

permanent U.S. residents hostage in the future?

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

Ted W. Lieu, Member of Congress; Michael McCaul, Member of

Congress; Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Member of Congress; Ted

Deutch, Member of Congress; James P. McGovern, Member of

Congress; Brian Fitzpatrick, Member of Congress; Donald M.

Payne, Jr., Member of Congress; Randy Hultgren, Member of

Congress; Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Member of Congress;

Jerrold Nadler, Member of Congress; Steve Cohen, Member of

Congress; Bobby L. Rush, Member of Congress; David N.

Cicilline, Member of Congress; Nita M. Lowey, Member of

Congress; Jose E. Serrano, Member of Congress.

Daniel W. Lipinski, Member of Congress; Joe Wilson, Member

of Congress; Peter King, Member of Congress; Francis Rooney,

Member of Congress; Mark Meadows, Member of Congress; Adriano

Espaillat, Member of Congress; Brad Sherman, Member of

Congress; Eleanor Holmes Norton, Member of Congress; Lee

Zeldin, Member of Congress; Steve Chabot, Member of

Congress; Paul Cook, Member of Congress; Eliot Engel,

Member of Congress; Ted Poe, Member of Congress; Bradley

S. Schneider, Member of Congress; Grace Meng, Member of

Congress.

Tom Suozzi, Member of Congress; Pete Sessions, Member of

Congress; Albio Sires, Member of Congress; Frank Pallone,

Jr., Member of Congress; Thomas A. Garrett, Jr., Member of

Congress; John Ratcliffe, Member of Congress; Josh

Gottheimer, Member of Congress; Lois Frankel, Member of

Congress; Derek Kilmer, Member of Congress; Patrick Meehan,

Member of Congress; Leonard Lance, Member of Congress; Randy

Weber, Member of Congress; Bill Johnson, Member of Congress;

David P. Joyce, Member of Congress; Adam Kinzinger, Member of

Congress; Elise Stefanik, Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Engel and Chairman Royce for their support of this legislation, and I give special thanks to my colleague, Chairman McCaul, for his leadership in recognizing the need to take action.

We must work together to stop the brutal Iranian regime's human rights abuses and demand the release of American hostages that Iran is using as pawns for political leverage. I am proud to partner with Mr. McCaul in this effort

The Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act sends a clear message to the Iranian regime and to the rest of the world: this Congress, this country will not tolerate the flagrant disregard of the most basic of human rights.

My colleagues have explained the merits of this bill, and I know it is difficult for many Americans to imagine, but we are here today to show our resolve in the face of really unbelievable circumstances.

For my constituents, the family of Robert Levinson, this is a nightmare that they have lived for 11 years. Bob Levinson is the longest held American hostage in history. He disappeared in Iran on March 9, 2007.

Imagine 11 years without your husband or your father.

Imagine having grandchildren who have never had the chance to meet their grandfather.

Imagine 11 anniversaries, dozens of family birthdays, and holidays that pass by without Bob, just an empty place where Bob should be sitting.

Bob's wife, Christine, and his seven children--Susan, Stephanie, Sarah, Dan, David, Samantha, and Doug--have been tireless advocates for their father. They have traveled to Iran themselves looking for answers. They have made the trip to Washington, D.C., countless times to meet with government officials and Members of Congress.

They have fought for action all the way to the Oval Office, directly appealing to President Bush, President Obama, and President Trump. They have watched as others have returned home to their families. They have listened with hope as Iran's leaders have promised cooperation. They have been disappointed more times than they can count as promises go unfulfilled year after year after year.

Iran has become adept at this cruel game, because that is what it is to this rogue Iranian regime. They say that hostages are not hostages, but these people are not detained under a legal order. They have lost their freedom; they have been separated from their families; and they have been held under shamelessly trumped-up and false charges. Any attempt to show due process or trials has been a sham.

To the Levinsons, to the Namazi family, the Zakka family, the Wang family, and the other families whose loved ones are being held, we stand with you. Today, we speak clearly and loudly with one bipartisan voice to send a message that no country, no rogue regime will use American lives as leverage to further a dangerous agenda.

This bill isn't about the nuclear deal. Nothing in this deal precludes our continued participation in the JCPOA. But this bill makes clear the importance of closely coordinating with our allies and partners whose citizens have also been held hostage by Iran to apply pressure on the regime.

If we are going to counter Iran's abuses, Iran's terrorism, Iran's threats to our troops and our national security interests, we must work in tandem with our partners around the globe. We will stand together against repression and the violation of human rights. We will stand together against religious persecution. We will stand together for the rule of law and democratic values.

Taking hostages and violating the most fundamental values that cut to the core of our dignity as human beings is unacceptable to this Congress and to members of the international community. I urge all of my colleagues to stand up to Iran's rogue regime, to stand up for human rights and for the people of Iran, to stand with the Levinsons and the other families whose loved ones are missing from their lives, and to fight for their return home by supporting this bill.

Please support H.R. 4744, and together we will stand for basic human rights.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure. Let me start by thanking Congressmen Deutch and McCaul, both valued members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for their hard work on this bill. I want to also thank Chairman Ed Royce, who has been a strong bipartisan voice in things that are so important to our country and to the world. We always say that we take pride in having the Committee on Foreign Affairs being the most bipartisan committee in the entire Congress.

Iran has isolated itself on the global stage because it refuses to abandon a range of aggressive activities that pose a threat to the region and a threat to the entire international community. On that list is the regime's terrible mistreatment of its own people and its heinous practice of prolonged and politically motivated detentions of American citizens.

The bill before us now seeks to put an end to these intolerable practices. It would place sanctions on anyone responsible for politically motivated harassment, abuse, extortion, extended detention, or trial of Americans or Iranians.

Earlier this year, we stood on this floor in solidarity with protestors in Iran who sought a better future for their country and for the next generation. They wanted to see their government abandon its support for Iranian proxy forces and terrorist groups, like Hezbollah, in favor of funding healthcare and employment opportunities for average Iranians.

This is a country that has suffered so much under the ayatollahs and the economic mismanagement of its leaders. The protests in December and January were a stark reminder of the regime's tight grip on power, as many protesters were killed in the streets and blocked from communicating with the outside world.

Today, as we pass this legislation, we think about the Americans who currently sit in Iranian prisons. We think about Robert Levinson, Mr. Deutch's constituent, who has been missing for over 11 years, who has missed the weddings of his children and the births of his grandchildren.

The Iranian regime had promised to cooperate with the investigation to locate Mr. Levinson, but to this date, that cooperation has been virtually nonexistent.

There is no real clarity in U.S. policy toward Iran. The United States faces a looming deadline on the nuclear deal, and the future remains uncertain. But there is one thing we can all agree on: we cannot let up the pressure on Iran for its human rights violations, particularly against American citizens.

So, again, I want to thank Mr. McCaul and Mr. Deutch for doing a great job with this. This is a bipartisan piece of legislation. If you care about the injustices going on in Iran, then it is important to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that the United States and Iran's leaders are at odds on a host of issues. Iran has killed Americans in Iraq. Its proxies seek to harm our citizens and our interests around the world. But let me be clear: the United States has no quarrel with the Iranian people.

This legislation seeks to protect the human rights of the Iranian people and Americans who are unfairly detained in Iran. This bill signals our solidarity with the protestors and demonstrators to Iran's rulers that any action that violates the human rights of an American will be met with severe consequences.

The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) just mentioned the 1988 massacre that was horrendous, and there were many, many more. This brutal regime has blood on its hands, and it is important for the United States to call them out.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support for H.R. 4744, the Iran Human Rights and Hostage--Taking Accountability Act, introduced by my fellow Texas delegate Congressman Michael McCall and fellow House Judiciary colleague Congressman Ted Deutch.

H.R. 4744 states that Congress stands with the people of Iran, and it provides the Trump administration with the tools necessary to hold Iranian government officials responsible for human rights violations, corruption, and censorship.

Moreover, this legislation holds the Iranian regime accountable for taking hostage American citizens and permanent residents by ensuring that those responsible pay an extreme but just price for the violations committed.

I applaud the House Foreign Affairs Committee for their support in passing this critical piece of legislation.

And I sincerely hope that this bill passes the Senate and arrives at the President's desk to be promptly signed into law so we can begin to hold the Iranian regime accountable for their gross human rights violations.

The Iranian regime continues to perpetuate gross human rights abuses against its own people.

The regime continues to suppress the country's voices for reform through censorship of the media.

The regime continues to recklessly use the nation's resources to expand its regional influence through its support for terrorist groups.

The regime continues to engage in corrupt practices.

And the regime continues to illegally detain and imprison our citizens without just cause or reason.

These practices are unacceptable.

H.R. 4744 serves as a clear signal to the people of Iran that we support them in their quest for freedom, it shines a light on the regime's human rights violations and sanctions those who are complicit in such crimes.

The same goes for Iranian officials guilty of corruption, censorship, and the diversion of goods intended for the Iranian people.

Lastly, this bill sanctions individuals complicit in taking Americans and other nation's citizens hostage and requires the President to work with our international partners to develop a strategy to put an end to this practice.

We have five Americans currently detained in Iran--an intolerable circumstance that calls for action.

We must do all we can, and apply as much pressure on Iran as necessary to ensure the American detainees' safe release, and prevent future Americans from being held hostage by this brutal regime.

I thank Congressman McCaul and Deutch for their leadership on this legislation to hold Iran's corrupt officials accountable.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill's passage, and the passage of all the important measure before us today.