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Rep. Johnson co-authors, supports Iran sanction bill

December 15, 2009

Bill would complement U.S. diplomatic efforts:

WASHINGTON – Rep. Hank Johnson on Tuesday voted for H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, which passed the House of Representatives 412-12.

H.R. 2194 would tighten U.S. sanctions on Iran’s petroleum sector while leaving President Obama substantial leeway to shape sanctions such that they best complement overall U.S. diplomatic strategy.

Rep. Johnson contributed language to the legislation to highlight Iran’s construction of a secret uranium enrichment facility at Qom. Using language drawn from Rep. Johnson’s H.Res.782, which was co-sponsored by 54 colleagues including the entire Georgia delegation, the sanctions bill demands that Iran disclose any additional covert enrichment facilities.

Rep. Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District and sits on the House Armed Services Committee, circulated a letter to his colleagues on Tuesday titled, “Support the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime: Vote for H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act.”

“This bill will add a powerful arrow to the President’s quiver,” said Rep. Johnson. “The United States and our allies continue to engage in multilateral diplomacy to resolve the impasse with Iran. But Iran’s leaders must know that life will become increasingly difficult if they continue to defy international law.”

President Obama recently said in Oslo, “Sanctions must exact a real price. ... It is also incumbent upon all of us to insist that nations like Iran and North Korea do not game the system. Those who claim to respect international law cannot avert their eyes when those laws are flouted. Those who care for their own security cannot ignore the danger of an arms race in the Middle East or East Asia. Those who seek peace cannot stand idly by as nations arm themselves for nuclear war.”

Rep. Johnson cosponsored H.R. 2194 in July, 2009. The Senate is expected to take up a similar measure after the New Year.

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