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Costa Joins in Bipartisan Call for Tougher Sanctions Against Iran

October 26, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. R. 1698, the Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanction Enforcement Act with strong bipartisan support. The bill aims to stop Iran's development of ballistic missiles through a combination of expanding sanctions, intensifying sanction enforcement, and increasing reporting of Iran's ballistic missile supply chain. The House voted on the legislation less than two weeks after President Trump decided to decertify the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement.

"I have long called for tough sanctions on Iran, and this legislation strengthens our ability to use sanctions to prevent Iran from further developing its ballistic missile program. In passing this bipartisan bill today, the House of Representatives came together to protect both American citizens and people all over the world," said Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16), who cosponsored the bill. "This being said, America's national security requires that the U.S. remain credible, which means we must keep our agreements, be a reliable international partner, and enforce our sanctions. Only with this credibility will we be able to work with our allies to make the world safer through a comprehensive strategy of diplomacy, sanctions, and deterrence."

Congressman Costa was a member of the conference committee which drafted the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act in 2010, and he supports a plan for continued pressure on Iran. On October 11th, Rep. Costa called on the Administration to follow through with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal.

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