McCaul, Keating Strengthen Iran Sanctions to Target the Qods Force
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Language offered by Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA), calling for the designation of Iran’s Qods Force as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), was unanimously agreed to as part of comprehensive Iran sanctions legislation adopted today by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
H.R. 850, the Iran Nuclear Prevention Act of 2013, which strengthens sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, aims to deter the Iranian regime from further pursuing its nuclear weapons ambitions by increasing economic pressure and targeting human rights violators.
Congressman McCaul and Congressman Keating’s language would mandate that sanctions currently in place against FTOs shall be applied to the Qods Force, which is behind some of the deadliest attacks of the past three decades, including the killing of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. If signed into law, this designation would allow prosecutors to bring new charges against anyone providing “material support or resources” to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Qods Force. This includes but is not limited to money, identification, lodging, training, weapons or transportation. The penalty for providing support is up to 15 years to life in prison on top of any other criminal charges. In addition, any foreign member of the Qods Force in the United States can be deported for no other reason than for being a member, and banks must freeze any funds tied to FTOs.
“The Qods Force’s actions fit squarely within the definition of terrorism, whether it be its support for deadly terror attacks across the globe or its blatant human rights violations and coercion of anti-regime activists inside Iran. Designating the Qods Force as a foreign terrorist organization is long overdue,” said Congressman McCaul, the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
“The IRGC’s Qods Force presents an immediate threat to the United States and our allies in Europe and elsewhere,” said William R. Keating, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats and a Member of the Committee on Homeland Security. “Their influence extends far beyond Iran’s border and directly contributes to instability within the region. This has been exhibited in both attempted and successful terror plots from Kenya to Bulgaria, particularly through their partnership with Hezbollah. Subjecting the Qods Force to direct sanctions will further limit their resources and, in turn, the danger they present.”
H.R. 850 now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives, where it has 338 cosponsors on both sides of the political aisle.
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