Iran: What is this bill in the Senate and Kerry's take?

[beachmom]

Just saw this:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/5/3/83734/61208

Apparently, 21 Democrats (not Kerry) co-sponsored an Iran bill that calls for regime change and democracy in Iran. I didn't read it, admittedly, and I assume it's merely symbolic. Still, I don't like it one bit. What's going on here?

Related: Apparently, we're now up to $320 billion for the Iraq War (can those idiots who said Kerry lied in the campaign that it was costing $200 billion apologize already), and Feingold offered an amendment that Iraq should be discussed (I heard this on NPR). And you should have listened to all of these Democrats carry water for the * administration. So they can't even TALK about it in the Senate? Or is it that Feingold offered the amendment at the wrong time (on what bill were Kerry's amendments? He was not mentioned on NPR)?

I tell you, I really come from a more centrist background, but I feel like some kind of radical compared to these get along go along Democrats!!

Any legislative experts who can explain what's going on would be welcome.

[karynnj]

1. One thing I'm suspicious of is when this bill was written

Governor Corzine is listed as a sponsor - so it has to be at least about 5 months old. I agree with you that I really don't like any Democrats signing anything with the words, regime change.

I saw Feingold's floor speech. Apparently, because they lost the cloture vote - amendments that are "not germane" can't be discussed. I think anything that doesn't relate to spending can't be considered. I think Kerry's amendment may have been here too - Tay said it was told "to lie on the table." As Kerry's bill (which Mass posted amendments to) calls for alloctaing money for a "Dayton Accords-like summit, I wonder whether it can be discussed. (Especially as the idiot from OK has had way more than his share of time.)

[ProSense]

3. Right, it was introduced last year

S.333
Title: A bill to hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran.
Sponsor: Sen Santorum, Rick (introduced 2/9/2005) Cosponsors (58)
Latest Major Action: 2/9/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL ACTIONS:
2/9/2005:
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
3/2/2006:
Introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1596-1597)

[TayTay]

4. That one should be germaine.

The allocation of funding is in line with what the bill is about. However, another parliamentary maneuver may keep the Kerry Amendments from going to a floor vote. They only have until the end of the day, I think.

And Coburn's did take up too much time, only to withdraw his bills in the end anyway.

[ProSense]

2. Here is a portion of the text

S.333
Iran Freedom and Support Act of 2005 (Introduced in Senate)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Iran Freedom and Support Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Sec. 1. Short title.

Sec. 2. Table of contents.

TITLE I--CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN

Sec. 101. Codification of sanctions.

TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN AND LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996

Sec. 201. Multilateral regime.

Sec. 202. Imposition of sanctions.

Sec. 203. Termination of sanctions.

Sec. 204. Sunset.

Sec. 205. Clarification and expansion of definitions.

TITLE III--DEMOCRACY IN IRAN

Sec. 301. Findings.

Sec. 302. Declaration of Congress regarding United States policy toward Iran .

Sec. 303. Assistance to support democracy in Iran .

Sec. 304. Reporting requirement regarding designation of democratic opposition organizations.

Snip...

SEC. 303. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN IRAN.

(a) Authorization- The President is authorized, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to provide financial and political assistance (including the award of grants) to foreign and domestic individuals, organizations, and entities that support democracy and the promotion of democracy in Iran . Such assistance may include the award of grants to eligible independent pro-democracy radio and television broadcasting organizations that broadcast into Iran .

(b) Sense of Congress on Eligibility for Assistance- It is the sense of Congress that financial and political assistance under this section be provided to an individual, organization, or entity that--

(1) opposes the use of terrorism;

(2) advocates the adherence by Iran to nonproliferation regimes for nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and materiel;

(3) is dedicated to democratic values and supports the adoption of a democratic form of government in Iran ;

(4) is dedicated to respect for human rights, including the fundamental equality of women;

(5) works to establish equality of opportunity for people; and

(6) supports freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion.

(c) Funding- The President may provide assistance under this section using amounts made available pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (g).

(d) Notification- Not later than 15 days before each obligation of assistance under this section, and in accordance with the procedures under section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394-l), the President shall notify the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(e) Sense of Congress Regarding Coordination of Policy and Appointment- It is the sense of Congress that in order to ensure maximum coordination among Federal agencies, if the President provides the assistance under this section, the President should appoint an individual who shall--

(1) serve as special assistant to the President on matters relating to Iran ; and

(2) coordinate among the appropriate directors of the National Security Council on issues regarding such matters.

(f) Sense of Congress Regarding Diplomatic Assistance- It is the sense of Congress that--

(1) support for a transition to democracy in Iran should be expressed by United States representatives and officials in all appropriate international fora;

(2) representatives of the Government of Iran should be denied access to all United States Government buildings;

(3) efforts to bring a halt to the nuclear weapons program of Iran , including steps to end the supply of nuclear components or fuel to Iran , should be intensified, with particular attention focused on the cooperation regarding such program--

(A) between the Government of Iran and the Government of the Russian Federation; and

(B) between the Government of Iran and individuals from China, Malaysia, and Pakistan, including the network of Dr.

[ginnyinWI]

5. is this about military action?

I don't see anything worse than sanctions. :shrug:

[rox63]

6. It's a starting point

towards more serious action. Remember how war was supposedly a last resort in the IWR bill?

[ginnyinWI]

7. yeah I suppose it's playing with fire

Give this administration even a whiff of encouragement... I hope it's only political posturing meant to get some people on record or something.

[TayTay]

8. From Baghdad Burning blog:

"The big question is- what will the US do about Iran? There are the hints of the possibility of bombings, etc. While I hate the Iranian government, the people don’t deserve the chaos and damage of air strikes and war. I don’t really worry about that though, because if you live in Iraq- you know America’s hands are tied. Just as soon as Washington makes a move against Tehran, American troops inside Iraq will come under attack. It’s that simple- Washington has big guns and planes… But Iran has 150,000 American hostages."

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

[karynnj]

9. Really good point - if the Bush administration understands it

But Iran has 150,000 American hostages." - very scary if they don't. (Especially because this will be a world war situation if Iran substantially hits our troops. We don't have enough troops to invade Iran, so the retaliation will be unthinkable.