WASHINGTON (JTA) — A resolution introduced in the U.S. Senate would not allow the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and six world powers to circumvent the legal authority of states to enact sanctions against Iran.
Presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., along with Sens. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., introduced the resolution on Tuesday.
Along with the stipulation on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the nuclear deal reached in July is known, the resolution also affirms the section of the 2010 Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act that authorizes state and local governments to “divest from, or prohibit investment of the assets of the state or local government” in persons deemed to engage in investment activities in Iran.
Thirty states and the District of Columbia have implemented Iran-related divestment sanctions, and 11 of those states have laws or policies in place prohibiting state or local governments from awarding contracts to firms that do business with Iran.
“Iran is the world’s largest sponsor of terror, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that this regime is not able to use the money that it will receive through the Iran nuclear deal to continue its deplorable terrorist actions,” Manchin said in a statement.
A companion measure was introduced in the House of Representatives on Monday.
