Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Senator Maggie Hassan are spearheading a legislative effort to solidify sanctions on Iran, aiming to restrict funding for the country’s energy and weapons sectors. The Solidify Iran Sanctions Act seeks to make permanent the measures initially established in the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. This legislation has already passed the House of Representatives with unanimous support.
Chairman Scott emphasized the importance of countering Iran’s activities, stating, “After four years of the Biden administration enabling billion-dollar windfalls for the Iranian regime, we must do everything in our power to stop the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism from developing weapons that threaten the United States and our allies.”
Senator Hassan echoed this sentiment, noting that “by making permanent energy and weapons sanctions on Iran, this bipartisan legislation will strengthen American national security.”
The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Jacky Rosen, and Bill Hagerty. Senator Rosen remarked on its significance given current circumstances: “With Iran closer than ever to a nuclear weapon, I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation that applies pressure on the Iranian regime.”
Senator Hagerty added that maintaining these sanctions is crucial until Iran alters its behavior: “America’s sanctions laws remain a critical and indispensable tool for denying Iran the money that it needs fund these threats.”
Matt Zweig from FDD Action stated that SISA would continue to apply pressure on Tehran until it ceases its destabilizing policies. He said, “SISA would make the Iran Sanctions Act permanent, sending a clear message to Tehran: Congress will maintain maximum pressure until the regime dismantles its nuclear program and ends its support for terrorism.”
AIPAC also expressed strong support for maintaining economic pressure through this act as negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program continue.
Since 1996, ISA has enabled U.S. presidents to impose secondary sanctions on various sectors within Iran. The Solidify Iran Sanctions Act aims to remove any sunset provisions in ISA while reaffirming U.S. commitment against Iranian aggression.
The initiative follows extensive oversight conducted by then-Ranking Member Scott over financial flows into Iranian terror proxies after an attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023.
