House passes Iran sanctions bill

[Pennsylvania]

In its latest attempt to ramp up sanctions against the Iranian government, the House of Representatives voted 414-6 today to grant legal protection to state and local governments if they decide to abandon deals with firms which have ties to Iran’s energy industry.

Rep. Kirk, one of the bill’s major authors, says “this legislation gives a strong ‘go signal’ to state and local leaders around America to get out of Iran.” The move comes despite ongoing negotiations with the Iranian government.

The bill was overwhelmingly approved by officials citing Iran’s civilian nuclear program as a “grave threat.” The six dissenting votes included the usual opponents of such measures, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) as well as Reps. Flake (R-AZ), Jones (R-NC), McDermott (D-WA) and Hinchey (D-NY). Rep. Kucinich cautioned that the bill might harm the Geneva talks.

http://news.antiwar.com/2009/10/14/h...anctions-bill/

[Pennsylvania]

The sad thing about this is that this bill could be supported from a "states rights" angle. Dr. Paul was almost assuredly opposed to the bill based on the commerce clause:

[The Congress shall have power to] regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes

Proponents of confederation could see this bill as a back-door victory. It's just a shame that when states rights scores a point, its not so that people's gun rights are protected, or that Roe vs. Wade is overturned, or that interstate highways no longer receive federal funding, or anything like that. No, it's so that states can bully businesses out of trade with someone they don't like.

[lester1/2jr]

yeah. it's so good they did somethign about this to prevent americans from marching through the streets with pitchforks demanding war with iran.

this is really a big priority for main street?

[Reason]

House OKs New Iran Sanctions

The House has approved a new sanctions measure against Iran. The Iran Sanctions Enabling Act would free up states and local governments to opt out of international investments in Iran. The measure passed with 414 in favor and just six opposed.