H.R. 2194 would amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran.
Detailed Summary
Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) diplomatic efforts to address Iran's illicit nuclear efforts, unconventional and ballistic missile development programs, and support for international terrorism are more likely to be effective if the President is empowered with explicit authority to impose additional sanctions on the government of Iran; (2) U.S. concerns regarding Iran are strictly the result of that government’s actions; and (3) the people of the United States have feelings of friendship for the people of Iran and regret that developments in recent decades have created impediments to that friendship.
States that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) support international diplomatic efforts to end Iran's uranium enrichment program and its nuclear weapons program; (2) encourage foreign governments to direct state-owned and private entities to cease all investment in, and support of, Iran's energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran; (3) impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian financial institution engaged in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups; and (4) work with allies to protect the international financial system from deceptive and illicit practices by Iranian financial institutions involved in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups.
Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to direct the President to impose two or more current sanctions under such Act if a person has, with actual knowledge, made an investment of $20 million or more (or any combination of investments of at least $5 million which in the aggregate equals or exceeds $20 million in any 12-month period) that directly and significantly contributed to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources. (Under current law the sanction thresholds are $40 million, $10 million, and $40 million, respectively.)
Directs the President to impose: (1) sanctions established under this Act (in addition to any current sanctions imposed under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996) if a person has, with actual knowledge, sold, leased, or provided to Iran any goods, services, technology, information, or support that would allow Iran to maintain or expand its domestic production of refined petroleum resources, including any assistance in refinery construction, modernization, or repair; and (2) sanctions established under this Act if a person has, with actual knowledge, provided Iran with refined petroleum resources or engaged in any activity that could contribute to Iran's ability to import refined petroleum resources, including providing shipping, insurance, or financing services for such activity.
Establishes additional sanctions prohibiting specified foreign exchange, banking, and property transactions.
Includes references to refined petroleum resources in a presidential report to Congress requesting waiver of sanctions for purposes of national interest.
Requires that the President immediately investigate a person upon receipt of credible information that such person is engaged in prohibited investment or other activity. Defines "credible information" as public or classified information or reporting supported by other substantiating evidence.
Includes among the exceptions to the imposition of sanctions a situation in which the President determines in writing that the person to which the sanctions would otherwise be applied is: (1) a citizen or resident of a country that is a participant in the Proliferation Security Initiative; or (2) a foreign person organized under the laws of such country and is a subsidiary of a U.S. person.
Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees every six months regarding any person who has: (1) provided Iran with refined petroleum resources; (2) sold, leased, or provided to Iran any goods, services, or technology that would allow Iran to maintain or expand its domestic production of refined petroleum resources; or (3) engaged in any activity that could contribute to the enhancement of Iran's ability to import refined petroleum resources.
States that the term "petroleum resources" includes petroleum, petroleum by-products, oil or liquefied natural gas, oil or liquefied natural gas tankers, and products used to construct or maintain pipelines used to transport oil or compressed or liquefied natural gas. (Under current law the term "petroleum resources" includes petroleum and natural gas resources.)
Defines "petroleum by-products" as gasoline, kerosene, distillates, propane or butane gas, diesel fuel, residual fuel oil, and other goods classified in headings 2709 and 2710 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 11/19/2009: House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 4, 2009.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Glennatty@aol.com
July 12, 2009, 9:57am (report abuse)NONE
Majid Mahallati
August 25, 2009, 8:31am (report abuse)The passing of this bill shall only harm the population of Iran and shall fuel the authocratic government of Iran to be even more aggressive and oppressive. My recommendaton is to get the Iranian officals to the negotiatng table and show willingness of the West to have a dialugue. This Government is not capable of conducting a decent negotiaton and shall do its best to avoid that scenario. That way everyone , including the general public in Iran realize how deceitful and irratonal the incumbants are and that shall weaken the position of the government even amongst its own supporters compelling them to revisit theri policies. DO NOT provide them with the excuse of pretending to be the righteous nad down trotten one.
Concerned5770
September 21, 2009, 11:49am (report abuse)The government in Iran has already shown that although they are willing to "negotiate" they are not in any way willing to slow their present course. They have made recent outright statements of confirming desire to eliminate Israel from the global map. Israel, America, and all other concerned countries should make every effort to constrain this goal. This is, at least, an effort in that direction.