Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere

As a staunch supporter of Israel in Congress, I voted Wednesday for the “Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act,” bipartisan legislation designed to result in a formal, comprehensive strategy to counter Iran’s growing presence and activities in the Western Hemisphere.

We need to be vigilant in holding the line against the Iranian regime, whether it’s acting to stop its nuclear capabilities or speaking out against its often outlandish affronts and threats to regional and world peace. This is a rogue state that the world community needs to stand up against and I’m proud to join bipartisan efforts in Congress to do so.

The Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act (HR3783) requires the Secretary of State to conduct a formal assessment of the threats posed to the United States and its allies by Iran’s growing presence and activities in the Western Hemisphere, submit the findings to Congress, and develop a specific strategy to address Iran’s growing presence in the region, largely economic activities trying to counter the effects of sanctions put in place mean to hinder Iran’s nuclear program.

The Act also requires the Secretary of State to consult with numerous federal agency heads, including the Secretary of Defense, Director of National Intelligence, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Treasury, Attorney General and U.S. Trade Representative.

I also cosponsored a bipartisan House resolution yesterday formally chastising the Iranian regime and the United Nations for allowing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak to the international body on the eve of Yom Kippur this month.

The resolution states, in part:

Whereas it would not only be offensive, but insensitive for the United Nations to allow Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to address the General Assembly at all, let alone on the holiest of all Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur, after making such vicious statements towards world Jewry and the State of Israel;
 
Whereas Ahmadinejad and the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran have shown that they are not willing to work with the international community or respect the order of the United Nations: Now, therefore, be it
 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress condemns President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the leaders of the Islamic Re public of Iran for addressing the United Nations on Yom Kippur.

Carolyn McCarthy is the representative of New York’s Fourth Congressional District. She was first elected in 1996.