HYDE-SMITH JOINS BILL TO WEAKEN IRAN-CHINA TIES AS CONDITION FOR ANY NUCLEAR DEAL

Hyde-Smith Cosponsors Blackburn Bill to Restrict Use of U.S. Taxpayer Money on Nuke Deal Unless Iran-CCP Links Severed

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has signed on as an original cosponsor of legislation to weaken Iran’s ties with Communist China as condition for any potential Iran nuclear deal with the United States.

Introduced by U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), the Iran China Accountability Act (S.3461) would prohibit the consideration and use of any U.S. taxpayer dollars to advance a nuclear agreement with Iran until that terrorist-sponsor state terminates its ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and terrorist groups like Hamas.

“Iran and Communist China, two of our greatest adversaries, have only been emboldened by President Biden’s appeasement and eagerness to re-enter a failed and dangerous nuclear deal,” Hyde-Smith said.  “This legislation would prevent the Biden administration from recklessly entering a nuclear agreement by ensuring much-needed congressional oversight.”

“Iran would love nothing more than to enter into another nuclear deal that props up their terrorist activity and also benefits their fellow New Axis of Evil partner – Communist China,” Blackburn said.  “As Iran and the CCP commit egregious human rights abuses against their own citizens and Iran-backed Hamas enacts horrific violence against Israel, it has become increasingly critical that the Biden administration holds the Iranian regime fully accountable.  There must be no nuclear deal until we can ensure our national security interests are protected.” 

The Iran China Accountability Act:
•   Requires any nuclear agreement to be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the U.S. Senate
•   Prohibits obligation or expenditure of any U.S. funds for a nuclear agreement until:
    o  Iran terminates all agreements involving the transfer of funds from China and terminates strategic security and military partnerships with China
    o  Iran terminates all ties and transfers of cash to Iranian proxy forces, including Hamas
    o  Iran verifies the destruction of all chemical weapons, materials, and infrastructure
    o  The CCP ceases the incarceration of Uyghurs
•   Requires a report from the Secretary of State to Congress detailing how any future agreement with Iran meets each requirement listed above
•   Condemns Hamas-incited terrorist attacks on Israel

S.3461 is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).

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