Media Contact 202-226-8467

Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) reacts to today’s committee passage of multiple bills. 

H.R. 3033, Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023: Eliminates the 2026 sunset in the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. Instead of expiring on an arbitrary deadline, the sanctions imposed under the act would remain in place until Iran meets specified behavior-based criteria. It was led by Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) and co-sponsored by Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Thomas Kean, Jr.(R-NJ), and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). 

“I commend Congresswoman Steel for her Solidifying Iran Sanctions Act and am proud to support this important legislation,” said Chairman McCaul. “This bill takes the long overdue step of striking the arbitrary sunset from the Iran Sanctions Act, so that sanctions against the regime will only be lifted if Iran stops its threatening behavior. Iran can’t run out the clock on U.S. law.”

Watch Chairman McCaul’s remarks on H.R. 3033 here. 

H.Res. 492, Condemning the Government of Iran’s state-sponsored persecution of the Baha’i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights: Led by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and co-sponsored by Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), and 29 others. 

“Iran’s persecution of the Baha’i people and other religious minorities must end,” said Chairman McCaul. “I am proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in condemning these terrible acts.”

H.R. 4039, To prohibit the use of funds supporting any activities within Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China: Introduced by Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX). 

“With limited, narrow exceptions, the bill prohibits any State Department and USAID funds from buying items made wholly or in part in Xinjiang or by an entity listed pursuant to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act that uses forced labor,” said Chairman McCaul. “This legislation sends a strong message to the Chinese Communist Party that the US will impose consequences for their cultural genocide against Uyghurs and other minorities.”

H.R. 4132, To provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to forced organ harvesting within the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes: Introduced by Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) and co-sponsored by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Gregory Murphy (R-NC), Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX), Rep. Thomas Tiffany (R-WI), and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

“There is growing evidence that the Chinese Communist Party has and continues to harvest organs from religious and ethnic minorities around the world and the ambitions of the CCP cannot be trusted,” said Chairman McCaul. “I’m glad this important bill that empowers the Biden administration to identify and punish CCP members involved in such heinous acts has passed out of committee.”

H.R. 1150, To establish the John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship to fund international internships and research placements for early- to mid-career professionals to study nonviolent movements to establish and protect civil rights around the world: Introduced by Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA), and 77 others. 

“Implementing this study of nonviolent civil rights movements recommits U.S. interests in furthering civil rights, nonviolence, and universal human dignity around the world,” said Chairman McCaul. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation that honors Congressman John Lewis’ lasting legacy in the civil rights movement and ensure America’s vision for a more just world.”

Watch Chairman McCaul’s remarks on H.R. 1150 here. 

H.Res. 488, Calling on the Biden administration to immediately provide Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine: Introduced by Rep. Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-NJ) and co-sponsored by Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX). 

“By not giving Ukraine the weapons it needs to win this war, the administration is prolonging the conflict and costing countless Ukrainian lives,” said Chairman McCaul. “The success of Ukraine’s counteroffensive is directly tied to the military assistance provided by the U.S. and our allies. As such, it is extremely disappointing the administration is sitting on billions in remaining military funding with which it could immediately transfer ATACMS to Ukraine and, in turn, help their Armed Forces make a major difference on the battlefield.”

###