Thank you, Mr. Chairman for holding this hearing on the reauthorization of the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA).
I support the goals of ILSA. We want to prevent terrorist organizations from carrying out their activities and we want to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) technology. The U.S. carries out these goals in various ways through the multilateral regimes, organizations and dialogue.
However, some of our laws, such as ILSA, take a unilateral approach to dealing with these threats to our national security. This unilateral approach has at times undermined cooperation with our allies relating to the problems we are attempting to solve.
We must do more than just feel-good exercises. So far, no ILSA sanctions have ever been levied against an entity and only one waiver has ever been granted. We have a patchwork of laws that are dealing with proliferation - ILSA, the Iran-Iraq Arms Nonproliferation Act of 1992, and other laws such as the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 1978, the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act, and provisions in the Export Administration Act, the Arms Export Control Act and the Foreign Assistance Act.
The Administration is requesting a two-year, instead of a five-year, reauthorization. This allows a more frequent review of our sanctions laws and takes into account the evolving circumstances and developments with our allies and the countries with which we want to improve behavior. Review is necessary because the threats are changing in this complex and more globalized world. It is vital to examine these policies to ensure that we properly target the undesirable behavior or end-users instead of creating adverse consequences for the good actors in the international business community. I encourage a review of all of our sanctions statutes specifically relating to Iran to ensure a simplified, effective and common-sense approach to U.S. sanctions policy.
I look forward to hearing the responses and testimony of the witnesses. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.