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House to act against Iran in the Western Hemisphere
The House as early as Wednesday will approve a bill requiring the government to take steps aimed at thwarting Iran's interests in the Western Hemisphere, including by ensuring Iran cannot disrupt or influence energy supplies.
Members will consider H.R. 3783, the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act, by the middle of the week. The bill will be the latest congressional action against Iran, which has been the target of several other sanctions-related bills in the 112th Congress.
The bill, from Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), would make it U.S. policy to counter Iran's presence and activity in Western Hemisphere, and require the State Department to conduct an assessment of the threats Iran poses to the United States in the Hemisphere. This report to Congress would have to include a wide range of information, including all activities related to terrorism and Iran's association with drug groups, and a strategy for dealing with these threats.
The bill passed the House the first time shortly after reports that Iran has set up a Hezbollah terrorist training base in Nicaragua, and that three suspected Hezbollah terrorists were arrested in Mexico.
"From the deployment of an Iranian television network in Latin America, to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's frequent trips to the region; Iran's made their interest in the region well known," Duncan said in September. "Recent developments including arresting suspected Hezbollah terrorists in Mexico, and evidence showing terrorist networks potentially working closely with Mexican drug cartels, is even more disturbing."
The bill is being brought up as a suspension bill this week, which means it will need a two-thirds majority for passage, although it may easily be passed by voice vote again. House passage will send the bill to the White House for President Obama's signature.
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