| Update: Lawmakers Turn Their Backs on Blockade Resolution |
| Written by Patrick Disney | |
| Wednesday, 23 July 2008 | |
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Washington, D.C.--Yesterday, two members of the House of Representatives withdrew their cosponsorship of H.Con.Res 362, the controversial bill that many experts interpret as recommending a blockade of Iran. Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) and Rep. Stephen Cohen (D-TN) announced their decision to withdraw yesterday. Below is a statement by Rep. Allen explaining his decision: "I cosponsored H. Con. Res. 362 because I believe that the Iranian regime poses very real threats to stability in the region and that it is in our national security interest to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. However, there is language in this resolution that may imply Congressional approval of a blockade of Iran. I want to be perfectly clear about where I stand: I believe our nation should be engaging in tough diplomatic talks with Iran that will permanently dismantle that country's nuclear weapons program, and that sanctions should be part of that strategy. However, I do not support the idea of a blockade. Since the resolution has not been amended to address these concerns, yesterday, I removed my name as a cosponsor."
(William Lacy Clay Jr. (D-MO) withdrew his cosponsorship on July 7, 2008, Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) withdrew his cosponsorship on July 30, 2008 and Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) withdrew his cosponsorship on September 8, 2008).
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