SENATORS LIEBERMAN, BAYH, AND KYL HAIL PASSAGE OF IRAN SANCTIONS LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Evan Bayh (D-IN), and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) hailed the passage of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2009, which the Senate approved unanimously last night. The legislation incorporates the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (S. 908), which Senators Lieberman, Bayh, and Kyl introduced in April of last year and which empowers the President to sanction companies involved in the sale of refined petroleum products to Iran. Seventy-eight members of the Senate are cosponsors of S. 908; the House counterpart of this legislation was passed in an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 412 to 12 on December 15, 2009.

Senators Lieberman, Bayh and Kyl issued this joint statement:

“Last night Democrats and Republicans in the Senate put politics aside and stood united as Americans in passing this critical legislation to stop Iran from going nuclear.  We are grateful for the critical leadership of both Majority Leader Reid and Senator McConnell in making this vote happen, and for the leadership of Senator Dodd, Senator Shelby, Senator Kerry, and Senator McCain. Given Iran's consistent pattern of deceit, concealment, and bad faith, the only way to force Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions is to make absolutely clear to the regime in Tehran that its current course will carry catastrophic consequences. We must leave no doubt that we are prepared to do whatever it takes to stop Iran's nuclear breakout.”

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