The House voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to extend an Iran sanctions law for another 10 years, amid growing worries that the U.S. needs to keep some leverage over Iran as it pushes for that country to implement the nuclear agreement.
Lawmakers voted 419-1 in favor of extending the Iran Sanctions Act, the foundation of a range of U.S. sanctions against Iran.
The only vote against the bill came from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.
The vote is a sign the bill should easily pass the Senate. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said passage shows that Congress is ready to take a tougher stance on Iran than that of President Obama. While Obama has moved to ease sanctions against Iran, Republicans and even some Democrats say the U.S. needs to impose tougher measures to ensure Iran’s compliance.
“The nuclear deal has provided cover for Iran,” he said. “They are exerting more and more control in Iraq, sending arms to rebels in Yemen, and continue to support terrorist groups like Hezbollah that antagonize Israel.”
“All the while, the Obama Administration has refused to hold Iran accountable or even call Iran out for violating the nuclear deal by exceeding limits on heavy water,” he added. “But we cannot let Iran increase its regional influence and undermine American interests unopposed.”
“Congress needs these sanction authorities to respond to Iran’s violations and check Iran’s growing influence in the region,” he said. “Sanctions are what brought Iran to the table, and they can bring Iran to heel again.”
