| Lee Introduces Sweeping Iran Diplomacy Bill |
| Written by Shervin Boloorian | |
| Tuesday, 06 February 2007 | |
|
Washington DC -
Rep.
Barbara Lee (D-CA) last week introduced the most
substantive measure (HR 770) yet in favor of
constructive US-Iran engagement this year. Addressing a
range of topics, including Iraq Study Group (ISG)
recommendations, nuclear development, the need for
diplomacy, and the risks of military action, Rep. Lee's
bill explicitly rules out a preemptive war on Iran
without Congress' consent and prohibits the use of funds
for regime change or military action in Iran. Meanwhile
in the Senate, Sen. Robert Byrd's recent resolution (S.
Res 39) adds to the list of non-binding resolutions in
Congress that seek to curb the President's authority to
conduct military action.
Known as the "Iran Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of
2007," the Lee bill finds that dialogue and deeper
relations with Iran would "help foster greater
understanding between the people of Iran and the people
of the United States and would enhance the stability and
security of the Persian Gulf."
With respect to Iraq, the bill's findings touch on the importance of bringing Iran aboard as an ally, and cite an ISG report conclusion that explains, "Iran's interests would not be served by a failure of US policy that led to chaos and territorial disintegration of the Iraqi state." The bill goes on to consider common US-Iran interests of strengthening Iraqi society to be a starting point for broader dialogue. Among the foreign policy objectives that can be achieved through negotiations is the containment of Iran's nuclear ambitions, the bill suggests. It recognizes the importance of creating safeguards to prevent Iranian nuclear weaponization and halting Iran's support for militant groups, but would establish Congress sense that "the attainment of these policy objectives should not constitute preconditions for any diplomatic dialogue." Whereas HR 770 makes an exception in the event of an imminent threat being posed by Iran, the bill sets a policy of no preemptive military action against Iran and bars the use of US government funds for any regime change or military activities. HR 770's language represents the most far reaching and substantive opposition to a US military option out of Congress so far -- since most other activity has been limited to non-binding resolutions that focus on constitutional separation of powers, with the exception of Rep. Walter Jones' (R-SC) bipartisan H.J. Res 14. While that two-paragraph bill would bindingly prohibit funding for military force against Iran, it fails to discuss diplomacy, ISG recommendations, and other related findings. Sen. Byrd's carefully worded nonbinding resolution is milder than most of its counterparts in the House, and does not once reference Iran in the text of the measure. Similar in spirit to the House's H. Con Res. 33 by Rep. Peter Defazio (D-OR), the Byrd resolution would establish the Senate's sense that offensive military action "against another country" would require Congress' approval. Joining Rep. Lee as original cosponsors of HR 770 are Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), John Conyers (D-MI), and Maxine Waters (D-CA). As of this writing, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) was the only other cosponsor to S. Res 39. For more information on the Iran Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 2007, visit Rep. Lee's website. |
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