McCaul Bill to Sanction Iran Passes Foreign Affairs Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, applauds the committee passage of his legislation, H.R. 4744, the Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act.

Specifically, this legislation 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, it holds the Iranian regime accountable for taking American citizens and permanent residents hostage by ensuring those responsible pay an extreme price.

Congressman McCaul: "I want to thank my colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee for their support in passing this critical piece of legislation. I look forward to getting this legislation to the House floor so we can hold the Iranian regime accountable for their gross human rights violations."

You can click here to watch Congressman McCaul's committee remarks on his bill.

Below are Congressman McCaul's remarks as prepared:

Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Engel,

Thank you for holding today's markup and including my bill to hold Iranian regime accountable.

I introduced H.R. 4744, the Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, with Mr. Deutch and am grateful to have the support of you and Ranking Member Engel.

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

They continue to suppress the country's voices for reform through censorship of the media.

They continue to recklessly use the nation's resources to expand its regional influence through its support for terrorist groups.

They continue to engage in corrupt practices.

And they continue to illegally detain and imprison our citizens without just cause or reason.

This is unacceptable.

Mr. Chairman, my bill serves as a clear signal to the people of Iran that we support them in their quest for freedom.

My bill 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, my bill sanctions individuals complicit in taking Americans and other nation's citizen's 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. This is intolerable.

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

Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Engel, thank you for leadership on this committee 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.

Thank you.