House plans to approve tougher Iran sanctions by suspension vote

By Pete Kasperowicz - 12/09/11 03:01 PM ET

House Republicans plan to approve two bills next week that would strengthen and expand U.S. economic sanctions against Iran and companies doing business with Iran, and to do so by calling up the bills under a suspension of House rules, a process reserved for non-controversial bills.

Suspension votes require a two-thirds majority for passage. The Iran Threat Reduction Act, H.R. 1905, will easily clear that hurdle — it has 368 co-sponsors, and follows last year's easy passage of another Iran sanctions bill, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act.

The bill replaces the current Iran sanctions law with new language aimed at strengthening those measures, and closing what supporters say are loopholes related to energy and financial sanctions.

The bill also targets the Central Bank of Iran by requiring a report on the extent to which the bank has aided terrorist activities. A finding that it has would require sanctions against the bank, including blocking of assets in the U.S.

The House will also look to pass H.R. 2105, the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Reform and Modernization Act, also by suspension. This bill provides for sanctions against entities that transfer certain goods, services and technology to these countries.

The Iran bills are expected to be taken up Tuesday or later, and are just two of several suspension bills the House will take up next week. Others follow here:

Monday

S. 384, to extend the authority of the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp to raise funds for breast cancer research.

H.R. 2845, the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act.

H.R. 2668, the Brian A. Terry Memorial Act.

Several bills naming post offices: H.R. 3220, H.R. 3246, H.R. 2158, H.R. 2767, and a bill to rename a courthouse in Jackson, Tennessee, H.R. 1264.

Tuesday or later

H.R. 3421, the Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act.

H.R. 886, the U.S. Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act.

H.Res. 306, urging Turkey to return confiscated church properties.

H.Res. 376, calling for the repatriation of POWs and MIAs from the Korean War.

H.R. 2719, the Rattlesnake Mountain Public Access Act.

H.R. 443, to convey property from the U.S. to the Maniilaq Association in Kotzebue, Alaska.