Schneider Applauds Passage of Legislation to Crack Down on Iranian Missile Program and Support for Proxy Groups

Today, U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL) praised the passage of new sanctions on Iran's ballistic missiles program, as well as legislation that will limit the ability of Iran's proxy, Hizballah, to finance terror and recruit followers.

Amendments offered by Schneider during markups of the House Foreign Affairs Committee were included in two of these bills.

"Today's near unanimous bipartisan vote shows the United States will continue to hold Iran accountable for their destabilizing activities and support for terrorist organizations," said Schneider. "These measures are an important step to pressure the banks, companies, and individuals that are supplying and financially supporting Iran's missile program and terrorist proxy groups. I'm pleased I could contribute to this legislation with amendments to strengthen our understanding of the foreign and domestic supply chain that advances Hizballah's domestic missile capabilities, as well as to determine if travel restrictions on specific key Iranian operatives have been violated."

During an Oct. 12^th markup of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Schneider offered an amendment that was accepted into H.R. 1698, the Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act. The amendment requires a report on violations of the travel restrictions on specified Iranian individuals per United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.The underlying bill expands sanctions on those who support Iran's ballistic missile program and weapons transfers.

During a Sept. 28^th markup of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Schneider offered an amendment that was accepted into H.R. 3329, the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2017. H.R. 3229 builds on the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2015, and which was based off bipartisan legislation first introduced by Schneider with Rep. Mark Meadows in 2014. The Schneider amendment requires a report from the President on the foreign and domestic supply chain that advances Hizballah's domestic missile capabilities.

Schneider also co-sponsored H.Res.359, a resolution to urge the EU to designate the entirety of Hizballah as a terrorist organization and H.R. 3342, Sanctioning Hizballah's Illicit Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act.