AJC Applauds Congressional Extension of Iran Sanctions Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC applauds Congress for overwhelmingly passing a ten-year extension of the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act (ISA). The bill, H.R.6297, was adopted unanimously by the Senate and by a vote of 419 to 1 in the House of Representatives.

Part of the original sanctions architecture that brought Iran to the negotiating table, ISA provides the legal framework for the United States to impose sanctions on Iran's energy sector and entities that help Iran obtain advanced weaponry and weapons of mass destruction.

ISA sanctions currently are waived in accordance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement between the P5+1 and Iran. Extending the ISA will not impose new sanctions on Iran, but allows for the "snapback" of sanctions should Iran violate the JCPOA.

"The 10-year extension of ISA maintains essential American leverage for Iran's full implementation of the JCPOA," said Jason Isaacson, AJC Associate Executive Director for Policy.  "We urge President Obama to sign this bipartisan measure into law."

Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, introduced the bill. Co-sponsors included Representatives Ted Deutch, Eliot Engel, Chris Gibson, Gene Green, Steny Hoyer, Peter King, Nita Lowey, Ted Poe, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Brad Sherman. AJC advocated for an extension of ISA throughout the past year. 

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SOURCE American Jewish Committee