Michele Bachmann - Iran

Last Updated: Dec 06, 2011

Summary

Congresswoman Bachmann takes a hard line stance against Iran. She opposes Iran's influence in Iraq and neighboring nations and opposes Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

In 2007, Congresswoman Bachmann caused a controversy when she claimed in an interview that Iran had a plan to divide Iraq into three sections with one section reserved for terrorist training activities. She referred to Iranian President Achmadenijad as a madman and stated that the US must take whatever means necessary to ensure that Iran does not obtain US weapons.

In November of 2010, Congresswoman Bachmann supported the uprising in Iran and stated that President Obama should support the movement in something other than vocal support.

In the Iowa Presidental debate, Congresswoman Bachmann stated that a nuclear Iran is the central issue in the Middle East and that as President, she would do everything in her power to make sure that Iran does not become a nuclear power.

In September of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann stated that President Obama should forbid President Achmadenijad from speaking at the United Nations. The next month, the responded to a foiled attempt by Iranian operatives to assassinate a Saudi ambassador by stating that Iran attempted the act because President Obama showed weakness.

The Plan to divide Iraq

In February of 2007, Congresswoman Bachmann was interviewed by the St. Cloud Times and discussed the war in Iraq and Iran's involvement there. During that interview, Congresswoman Bachmann talks about a plan that Iran is involved in to divide Iraq into three pieces with one part reserved for a terrorist training camp.

Iran is the trouble maker, trying to tip over apple carts all over Baghdad right now because they want America to pull out. And do you know why? It’s because they’ve already decided that they’re going to partition Iraq.
And half of Iraq, the western, northern portion of Iraq, is going to be called Ã¢â‚¬Â¦. the Iraq State of Islam, something like that. And I’m sorry, I don’t have the official name, but it’s meant to be the training ground for the terrorists. There’s already an agreement made.
They are going to get half of Iraq and that is going to be a terrorist safe haven zone where they can go ahead and bring about more terrorist attacks in the Middle East region and then to come against the United States because we are their avowed enemy.
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If Iran is allowed to freely operate in Iraq, and continues to thwart the U.S. and the Iraqi government, then we may very well see a de facto partition in which the western Anbar province continues to house and develop terrorists.
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He's a crazed, delusioned president of Iran. He (Achmadenijad) is literally a madman.
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This is a very serious concern that we need to pay close attention to, and make sure that we take whatever means are necessary to make sure that Ahmadinejad does not succeed. (In getting nuclear weapons)

Support for Iranian Uprising

In November of 2010, Congresswoman Bachmann spoke about her support for a popular uprising in Iran and her opposition to the tyrannical Iranian government in place in Tehran.

Iowa Debate

In August of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann participate in the Republican Presidential debate in Ames, Iowa. She stated that she would not allow Iran to possess a nuclear weapon.

WALLACE: Congresswoman Bachmann, I want to switch to another angle of the war on terror, though if you want to weigh in on Iran, feel free. We -- you say that we don't win the war on terror by closing Guantanamo and reading Miranda rights to terrorists. Congressman Paul says terrorism suspects -- suspects have committed a crime and are due -- should be given due process in civilian courts. Could you please tell Congressman Paul why he's wrong?
BACHMANN: Well, because, simply, terrorists who commit acts against United States citizens, people who are from foreign countries who do that, do not have any right on our -- under our Constitution to Miranda rights.
We've also seen that Guantanamo Bay has yielded significant information. In fact, we've learned that that led to the capture and the killing of bin Laden.
This is a tool that we need to have in order to be able to prostitute the new type of war, the new type of warfare, and the new type of terrorists that this country is dealing with.
Regarding Iran, Iran is the central issue in the Middle East and their capacity to become a nuclear power. They're one of the four state sponsors of terror in the world.
I sit on the House Select Committee on Intelligence. I can't reveal classified information, but I can say this: As president of the United States, I will do everything to make sure that Iran does not become a nuclear power.

Opposition to Achmadenijad Speech at UN

In September of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann spoke out against allowing Iranian President Achmadenijad to speak at the UN due to violations of UN charters and International Law.

He has proven he is in violation of the United Nations charter and of international law. Since he is, in the most literal sense, an outlaw, he should not be allowed in the United States of America.

Response to Iran Plot

In October of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann was interviewed by Erin Burnett and responded to an uncovered plot by Iranian operatives to assassinate a Saudi Ambassador on US by stating that President Obama had placed space between the US and Israel.

If I was president I wouldn't have taken my eye of the number one issue in the Middle East, which is Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. The problem with the Obama administration is they put serious daylight between Israel and the United States from day one of the Obama presidency, so the president unfortunately sent signals of weakness.
When you have a nation — that is a hostile nation — seeing the United States from a lens point of weakness then that can lead to actions that are absolutely heinous like were seeing today.
This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed seriously and obviously historically this needed to be addressed by the White House earlier on so that signals were sent to Iran that you would never consider attempting something like this on U.S. soil. Obviously they felt like they could be successful.
Clearly I think the president took his eye off the most important thing and that's a nuclear Iran.

CNN National Security Debate

On November 22, 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann participated in the national security debate on CNN. She addresses the issue of Iran and its nuclear capability. She called President Obama's actions on Iran appeasement.

BACHMANN: I agree with all of that. And energy independence is something that President Obama certainly has avoided.
BLITZER: But that's going to take many years.
BACHMANN: It -- it will but the president -- almost every decision that the president has made since he came in has been one to put the United States in a position of unilateral disarmament including the most recent decision he made to cancel the Keystone Pipeline.
That would have not only created jobs but it would have helped us in energy independence.
But I want to go back to something. That's the fact why is it that we're talking about Israel having to make a strike against Iran? It's because Iran has announced they plan to strike Israel.
They've stated, as recently as August just before President Ahmadinejad came to -- to the U.N. General Assembly. He said that he wanted to eradicate Israel from the face of the earth.
He has said that if he has a nuclear weapon he will use it to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. He will use it against the United States of America.
This isn't just an idle threat. This is a reality. And that's why President Obama has -- has failed the American people because for two and a half years he gave the Iran the luxury of time.
He met with them with no preconditions. It's the doctrine of appeasement. He has changed the course of history because at the time when we needed a leader most, we didn't have one.
That's what I'll do differently as President of the United States. I'll lead.

Voting Record

Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act

In June of 2010 the House voted on the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act. The Act passed 408-8. Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act.

Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act.

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

Iran Threat Reduction Act of 2009 - Cosponsor

Amends the Iran Freedom Support Act to maintain specified U.S. sanctions with respect to Iran until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that Iran has verifiably dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs and ceased its support for international terrorism. Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to: (1) include transshipment among sanctionable activities; and (2) exclude from the United States an alien who is a senior government official of a foreign government or a corporate principal or significant shareholder of a foreign person involved in proliferation activities relating to Iran.

Israel and Iran - Cosponsor

Condemns the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its: (1) threats to annihilate the United States and Israel; (2) support of international terrorism; and (3) incitement of genocide of the Israeli people. Supports using all means to persuade the government of Iran to stop building and acquiring nuclear weapons. Reaffirms the U.S. bond with Israel and pledges to work with the government of Israel and the people of Israel to ensure that their nation receives critical economic and military assistance, including missile defense capabilities, needed to address the Iranian threat. Supports Israel's right to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran.

Iran Human Rights Sanctions Act - Cosponsor

Directs the President to impose visa entry and financial sanctions on a person determined to be complicit in human rights abuses committed against Iranian citizens or their family members on or after June 12, 2009, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in Iran. Requires that: (1) the list of such persons required by this Act be made available to the public and posted on the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State websites; and (2) the President consider data obtained by other countries and nongovernmental organizations that monitor Iran's human rights abuses in preparing such list. Terminates sanctions upon presidential certification to Congress that: (1) the sanctioned persons have ceased complicity in human rights abuses; and (2) the government of Iran has released all political prisoners, ceased its killing and abuse of Iranian citizens engaging in peaceful political activity and prosecuted those responsible, committed itself to free elections and respect for human rights, and ceased broadcast interference.

Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 - Cosponsor

To enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by imposing additional economic sanctions against Iran, and for other purposes.

Iran and Nuclear Weapons - Cosponsor

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the threat posed to international peace, stability in the Middle East, and the vital national security interests of the United States by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and regional hegemony, and for other purposes.

References

[1] Website: MPR News Article: Bachmann: Iran has plan to turn part of Iraq into terrorist haven Author: Tom Scheck Accessed on: 10/28/2011

[2] Website: CBS News Article: Michele Bachmann says Obama should block Iranian president's U.N. speech Author: Sarah Huisenga Accessed on: 10/28/2011

[3] Website: The Hill Article: Bachmann blames Obama for weakness on Iran Author: Geneva Sands-Sadowitz Accessed on: 10/28/2011