Will Iran's Missile Test Result in New U.S. Sanctions Law?

Will Iran's Missile Test Result in New U.S. Sanctions Law?
By Andrew Cochran

Today's missile tests by Iran might be the last straw in efforts on Capitol Hill to enact new sanctions. In late June, the Senate Finance Committee passed S.3227, "The Iran Sanctions Act of 2008," which included a host of provisions to isolate Iran's nuclear program and financial system. But that act is opposed by the Administration for several reasons.

Senate leadership could merge S.3227 with another Iran sanctions bill, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act (S.1430). The ISEA has a different emphasis, that of enabling and encouraging further disinvestment from Iran-related investments (the "divest terror" approach). The ISEA passed the U.S. House last year (HR2347) but has not been passed through the relevant committee in the Senate, the Senate Banking Committee. The lead Senate sponsor is Democratic Senator Barack Obama, and Senate leaders might decide that merging the two bills meets both policy and political goals.

But in an election year with a shortened Congressional session, nothing is certain. Congress would have to iron out any differences between the Senate and House versions before final passage. Any Iran sanctions bill could be subject to Presidential veto if it includes the provisions already opposed by the Administration or if it is attached to another bill also opposed by the President, The lack of committee approval of the ISEA, to date, is a stumbling block to final passage of a merged bill (if that is the intention of Senate leadership).
July 9, 2008 04:20 PM