HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES IRAN NONPROLIFERATION ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House today unanimously passed legislation aimed at assisting the Clinton Administration's efforts to prevent the spread of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction to Iran. H.R. 1883, the Iran Nonproliferation Act, passed the House by a 419-0 margin.

F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI), Chairman of the House Science Committee and an original co-sponsor of the bill, said during today's House debate, "The bill does not change Russia's rights or obligations as a partner in the International Space Station. It does not prohibit NASA from making payments to the Russian Space Agency if the Russian government is doing what it promises, namely stopping the flow of technology to Iran. It only prohibits NASA from making payments if Russian is increasing the threat to our friends, allies, and troops in the Middle East and Europe."

Ranking Minority Member Ralph M. Hall (D-TX) added, "H.R. 1883 complements the Administration's ongoing and aggressive efforts to stem proliferation that may threaten the United States and its global allies. I am pleased that the House-passed bill includes language to ensure that progress on the International Space Station will not be retarded by unnecessary bureaucratic delays. I believe H.R. 1883 strikes an appropriate balance between our security needs and our interests in international space cooperation."

The bill requires the President to report any credible evidence to Congress of technology transfers to Iran that violate existing arms control and nonproliferation treaties, agreements, and norms. Additionally, the bill prohibits payments to Russia for goods and services related to the International Space Station unless: 1) the President determines that it is the policy of the Russian government to prohibit assistance to Iran's programs to acquire weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missiles; 2) the President determines that Russia is taking steps to implement such a policy; and 3) the Russian Space Agency and the entities under its jurisdiction have not transferred technology useful to Iran's weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missile programs in the year prior to making such payments. The bill currently has 229 House co-sponsors.

Chairman Sensenbrenner also added, "Unfortunately, we have received consistent reports since 1993 that Russia is assisting Iran's efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. The CIA and State Department conceded as much in open hearings over the last two years. Faced with such evidence, H.R. 1883 is an appropriate and measured step that Congress can, and must, take to halt such proliferation."

This legislation now awaits Senate action. Last week the House Science Committee passed H.R. 1883 by a 41-0 margin.

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