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Log Cabin Republicans Calls Upon President to Sign the "Iran SAD Act" and Impose Sanctions

June 29, 2010

(Washington, DC) - Log Cabin Republicans urges President Obama to sign the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (the "Iran SAD Act"), which strengthens sanctions against Iran. The Iran SAD Act includes key provisions that preclude companies that do business in Iran from contracting with the U.S. Government. Now, companies covered by this legislation will have to choose between doing business with Iran and doing business with the U.S.

Urging implementation of the Iran SAD Act, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee stated, "Mr. President, we urge you to follow through on the commitment you articulated in a speech on March 2, 2007, where you called for "full implementation of U.S. sanctions laws" targeting Iran. Such action will also advance your commitment, as stated on June 4, 2008, that "I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon." By imposing these sanctions, and employing other authorities at your disposal, we can end this growing menace before it is too late."

Log Cabin Republicans joined United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI) in praising the Congress last week for passing the Iran SAD Act. A longtime advocate for such sanctions, UANI introduced model legislation that would require companies that do business with the U.S. Government to certify that they do not conduct business in Iran.

Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director, R. Clarke Cooper noted, "Immediate implementation of the sanctions will help mitigate the global threat of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and his dangerous quest to develop nuclear weapons. The Iran SAD Act will further deny resources to a brutal regime responsible for the deterioration of freedom of expression and assembly in Iran. Ahmadinejad's regime routinely tortures and mistreats detained political dissidents and executes gays and lesbians. It is up to President Obama to take the lead and put the sanctions in place now."

UANI President, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace concurred, "We applaud Congress for passing legislation that strengthens sanctions against Iran. These sanctions are an important step in limiting Iran's ability to enrich uranium and in ultimately preventing Iran from developing an illegal nuclear weapon. The Obama Administration should act swiftly in enacting these sanctions. By using the power of its purse strings, the U.S. Government can take significant action to economically isolate Iran."