Lance Leads U.S. House on Sanctions Bill

Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07), one of leading voices in Congress calling for tough sanctions on Russia, hailed passage of a bill that would impose new sanctions against Russia and require President Trump to get permission from Congress before lifting or easing the existing sanctions.  The bipartisan measure also imposes economic penalties against Iran and North Korea for their recent provocations.

The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, H.R. 3364, is in direct response to Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election, its ongoing human rights violations, its annexation of Crimea and military operations in Eastern Ukraine and Syria.

“The governments of Iran, North Korea and Russia do not share American values or interests and are active threats to our national security.  These regimes will see a united message from the Congress of the United States with an overwhelming vote in favor of strong sanctions,” said Lance during debate on the measure before it passed 419-3.

“Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism.  North Korea, the most dangerous and isolated place on Earth, has tested long-range missiles, demonstrating a frightening potential to target our west coast.  And Russia has intolerably involved itself in our Nation’s democratic electoral process,” Lance continued.

Lance was one of the first Republican cosponsors of the Russia Sanctions Review Act after the U.S. Intelligence Community presented evidence of nefarious Russian political operations in the U.S. and abroad.  That measure would mandate congressional approval before the lifting of any sanctions against Russia.  Those provisions where included in the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

And as chair of the Congressional Republican Israel Caucus, the Seventh District lawmaker has continually warned against Iran’s ballistic missile tests, support for terrorist groups and violations of international law including rampant human rights abuses.  And North Korea is a growing threat to the U.S., most recently testing long-range missiles and continuing to pursue nuclear weapons.

“I urge the U.S. Senate to support this package and I hope President Trump will sign it into law.  Our country needs to act decisively and put these hostile states on notice: by violating international law and threatening the United States sanctions will increase,” concluded Lance.