Palmetto State News

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) have introduced a resolution urging the Biden administration to seek a censure of Iran at this week’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors’ meeting. The resolution also reaffirms that all necessary measures will be taken to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“In the 18 months since the IAEA last held Iran accountable, the regime’s destabilizing behavior has skyrocketed. Its terrorist proxies have attacked our troops, brought global commerce to a halt, and ignited the brutal conflict in Gaza. Last month, Iran stepped out from the shadows to attack Israel directly, and all the while, the regime has steadily increased its nuclear buildup,” said Senator Scott. “Censuring Iran at the IAEA is the first step we can take to restore deterrence in the Middle East. For months, the Biden administration has ignored our calls to take a stand against Iran. It’s far past time to act.”

“Iran is the greatest state sponsor of terror in the world and there is no greater national security threat than a nuclear Iran,” said Congressman Lawler. “Unfortunately, a foreign policy of weakness and appeasement has emboldened the Islamic Republic, which is now closer than ever to having nuclear weapons. Enough is enough. The Biden Administration must move to censure Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s Board of Governors meeting and refer this matter to the UN Security Council for immediate review.”

The Senate version of the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.). In the House of Representatives, it is cosponsored by Reps. John James (R-Mich.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Young Kim (R-Calif.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.).

The resolution has garnered support from organizations such as the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), AIPAC, Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), and the Vandenberg Coalition.

BACKGROUND:

Senator Scott has long criticized what he views as a lack of comprehensive strategy by the Biden administration in containing Iran's aggression and has called for actions to restore deterrence in the Middle East following attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023.

In August 2023, Scott led twenty-five Republican colleagues in demanding answers from the administration after it made approximately $6 billion in frozen assets accessible to Iran in exchange for American detainees' release. Following attacks on October 7, he questioned further decisions allowing access to an additional $10 billion in revenue through waived sanctions.

Scott also pushed for a cohesive strategy on Iran using all appropriate national security tools. In December 2023, he joined bipartisan colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning ongoing attacks from Iranian proxies against American forces in Iraq and Syria.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Scott introduced legislation such as the Revoke Iranian Funding Act aimed at permanently freezing $6 billion released by August agreements with Iran and requiring an accounting of restricted high-value Iranian assets globally under U.S. sanctions.

In April 2024, accountability requirements from his Revoke Iranian Funding Act were signed into law alongside efforts like his Solidify Iran Sanctions Act aimed at making permanent energy and weapons sanctions outlined in prior legislation.

In October 2023, Scott joined Senator Rubio criticizing decisions not to censure Iran during September's IAEA meeting through formal letters sent by nine Senate Republicans reiterating calls for referral of Iran’s nuclear program to UN Security Council review amidst reports indicating tripled enrichment activity by end-2023.