On Tuesday, the House voted on a bill which added additional sanctions to existing measures against Iran, Russia, and North Korea. Prior to the vote, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Ed Royce, denounced the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Council, as well as North Korean and Russian provocations.
Chairman @RepEdRoyce: It’s time to hold North Korea, Russia, and Iran accountable https://t.co/xnD4iGjgei pic.twitter.com/C4p7yUCx4m
— Foreign Affairs Cmte (@HouseForeign) July 25, 2017
The final vote was 419 for to 3 against, as the House passed the legislation by a wide margin. The legislation has strong support in the United States Senate where it passed 98 for to 2 against.
JUST IN: U.S. House passes bill to impose sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea by a vote of 419 to 3. pic.twitter.com/PP6NPG9d5W
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 25, 2017
Significance of the Sanctions Bill
This legislation attempts to continue to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and cease its hostility towards South Korea. The House also wants to place great pressure on the Iran to cease providing support to terrorists. In particular, America wants to limit Iranian influence in Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Yemen. Finally, this legislation responds to Russian attempts to influence our elections and harass or invade our allies.
Impediments to Success
These sanctions were initially impeded by concerns from both sides of the aisle, as important figures from both parties seem embarrassed by the implications of additional sanctions on Iran and Russia (sanctioning North Korea was less controversial).
