House Resolution 362
Encyclopedia
House Concurrent Resolution 362 is a bill
and non-binding resolution
in the United States House of Representatives
that was introduced on May 22, 2008 by Gary Ackerman
[D-NY] (for himself and Mike Pence
[R-IN]). It currently has 280 cosponsors as of April 24, 2009. It has gained criticism for its language suggesting a blockade of Iran
.
on Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of "terrorist" groups, international banks which conduct financial transactions with proscribed Iranian banks, energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector and on all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The bill was created out of fear or concern over Iran
's alleged nuclear weapons program, Iran's general violence towards Israel (Ahmadinejad's words translated by some interpreters claim that Israel must be wiped off the map, other translators say Ahmadineajad the president of Iran said Israel will vanish from the pages of time) and Iran's support of Hezbollah and Hamas
. The resolution also calls for the prohibition of all oil shipments from Iran extremely so to demand "the imposition of stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran". Some critics of the bill call it the Iran war resolution since the resolution hints of blockading Iran's ports (blockade
is a signature of war.) Analysts speculate if such a blockade were to be initiated by the United States it probably be at the Straits of Hormuz. If this bill is passed and followed oil prices should rise (due to supply being cut).
, Americans for Peace Now
and the National Iranian American Council
. On June 28, 2008, Ron Paul
criticized the bill in front of the US House of Representatives and said "The fear is, they say, maybe someday Iran is going to get a nuclear weapon, even though our own CIA's National Intelligence Estimate has said that the Iranians have not been working on a nuclear weapon since 2003. They say they're enriching uranium, but they have no evidence whatsoever that they're enriching uranium for weapons purposes. They may well be enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, and that is perfectly legal". It might be interesting to note the bills supporters are neither predominantly Democrat or Republican. This bill also has a "sister resolution", Resolution 580, introduced on June 2, 2008, that is similar but asserts "that nothing in this resolution shall be construed to authorize the use of force against Iran". The sister resolution also drops Resolution 362's blockade language. As of January 16, 2009, Resolution 580 has 51 cosponsors. Although the number of cosponsors of Resolution 362 in the House of Representatives has grown since the bill's creation, several representatives have removed their support citing fear that the bill may condone violence against Iran.
Bill (proposed law)
A bill is a proposed law under consideration by a legislature. A bill does not become law until it is passed by the legislature and, in most cases, approved by the executive. Once a bill has been enacted into law, it is called an act or a statute....
and non-binding resolution
Non-binding resolution
A non-binding resolution is a written motion adopted by a deliberative body that cannot progress into a law. The substance of the resolution can be anything that can normally be proposed as a motion....
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
that was introduced on May 22, 2008 by Gary Ackerman
Gary Ackerman
Gary Leonard Ackerman is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 1983. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
[D-NY] (for himself and Mike Pence
Mike Pence
Michael Richard "Mike" Pence is the U.S. Representative for Indiana's , and previously the , serving since 2001. The 6th district covers much of Eastern Indiana. He is a member of the Republican Party....
[R-IN]). It currently has 280 cosponsors as of April 24, 2009. It has gained criticism for its language suggesting a blockade of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
.
Overview
The bill calls for the president to impose economic sanctionsEconomic sanctions
Economic sanctions are domestic penalties applied by one country on another for a variety of reasons. Economic sanctions include, but are not limited to, tariffs, trade barriers, import duties, and import or export quotas...
on Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of "terrorist" groups, international banks which conduct financial transactions with proscribed Iranian banks, energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector and on all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The bill was created out of fear or concern over Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
's alleged nuclear weapons program, Iran's general violence towards Israel (Ahmadinejad's words translated by some interpreters claim that Israel must be wiped off the map, other translators say Ahmadineajad the president of Iran said Israel will vanish from the pages of time) and Iran's support of Hezbollah and Hamas
Hamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
. The resolution also calls for the prohibition of all oil shipments from Iran extremely so to demand "the imposition of stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran". Some critics of the bill call it the Iran war resolution since the resolution hints of blockading Iran's ports (blockade
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
is a signature of war.) Analysts speculate if such a blockade were to be initiated by the United States it probably be at the Straits of Hormuz. If this bill is passed and followed oil prices should rise (due to supply being cut).
Criticism and support
Some political groups that oppose this bill include J StreetJ Street
J Street is a nonprofit liberal advocacy group based in the United States whose stated aim is to promote American leadership to end the Arab-Israeli and Israel-Palestinian conflicts peacefully and diplomatically. It was founded in April 2008....
, Americans for Peace Now
Americans for Peace Now
Americans for Peace Now , the United States partner of Israel’s Shalom Achshav organization, is an American coalition working to help Israel achieve a secure peace with the Arab states and the Palestinian people...
and the National Iranian American Council
National Iranian American Council
The National Iranian American Council is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization "dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community." Trita Parsi is the organization's current president and founder.-Formation:...
. On June 28, 2008, Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
criticized the bill in front of the US House of Representatives and said "The fear is, they say, maybe someday Iran is going to get a nuclear weapon, even though our own CIA's National Intelligence Estimate has said that the Iranians have not been working on a nuclear weapon since 2003. They say they're enriching uranium, but they have no evidence whatsoever that they're enriching uranium for weapons purposes. They may well be enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, and that is perfectly legal". It might be interesting to note the bills supporters are neither predominantly Democrat or Republican. This bill also has a "sister resolution", Resolution 580, introduced on June 2, 2008, that is similar but asserts "that nothing in this resolution shall be construed to authorize the use of force against Iran". The sister resolution also drops Resolution 362's blockade language. As of January 16, 2009, Resolution 580 has 51 cosponsors. Although the number of cosponsors of Resolution 362 in the House of Representatives has grown since the bill's creation, several representatives have removed their support citing fear that the bill may condone violence against Iran.
Actions
Concurrent House Resolution 362 was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the day it was introduced.See also
- Abadan CrisisAbadan CrisisThe Abadan Crisis occurred from 1951 to 1954, after Iran nationalised the Iranian assets of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and expelled Western companies from oil refineries in the city of Abadan .-Prelude:...
- 2008 US-Iranian naval dispute2008 US-Iranian naval disputeThe 2007-2008 US-Iranian naval dispute refers to a series of naval stand-offs between Iranian speedboats and U.S. Navy warships in the Strait of Hormuz in December 2007 and January 2008.-Incident:...
- Iran–United States relations
- Sanctions against IranSanctions against IranThis article outlines economic, trade, scientific and military sanctions against Iran, which have been imposed by the U.S. government, or under U.S. pressure by the international community through the United Nations Security Council...
External links
- http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hc110-362
- http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.CON.RES.362:
- http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HC00362:@@@X