Russ Feingold on Iran

Summary

In 2007, Senator Feingold reacted to NIE judgements and stated that Iran's nuclear program remained a serious concern, but the best way to proceed with Iran was through "vigorous and coordinated diplomacy." He stated that this showed that the overly aggressive tactics being pursued by the Bush administration were not necessary. When the Bush Administration designated the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a material supporter of terrorism, and the IRGC for proliferation activities, Senator Feingold stated that this was counterproductive to multilateral talks. Senator Feingold continued his support for multilateral talks with Iran throughout June 2009.

In June 2010, Senator Feingold supported sanctions on Iran and cited their continued unwillingness to play a responsible and constructive role in the international community.

 

Public Options with Iran

In March of 2007, Senator Feingold released a press statement noting his belief that a recent report on the Iranian nuclear program is promising and may show that there are more options with Iran on a diplomatic level.

“The unclassified NIE judgments released today on Iran’s nuclear program offer good news as well as confirmation that we have more policy options with regard to Iran than many have suggested. The administration and members of Congress who have been pushing an overly aggressive and confrontational strategy should take a deep breath and reconsider. Iran’s nuclear program remains a serious concern but it is clear from the NIE that vigorous and coordinated diplomacy is the right way to approach it.”

 

Opposition to Bush Policy on Iran

In November of 2007, Senator Feingold issued a press statement noting his belief that President Bush's policy towards Iran was flawed. He also talks about the threat that Iran poses if it obtains nuclear weapons.

 

Support for Multilateral Talks

In April of 2009, Senator Feingold released a press statement noting his support for multilateral talks with Iran to discuss their nuclear program. He stated that he may support the lifting of sanctions if they agree to halt their program.

“I am pleased by reports that the Obama administration will participate in multilateral talks to address concerns about Iran's nuclear enrichment. The upcoming negotiations must contain both carrots and sticks, such as the prospect of assistance or lifting of sanctions if Iran agrees to halt enrichment operations, but tighter sanctions if it does not. Working closely with our friends and allies to ensure a unified and coordinated approach to Iran is the best hope for successfully addressing a critical challenge to our national security.”

 

Reaction to Protests

In June of 2009, Senator Feingold released a press statement noting his position on the protests in Iran concerning the elections which were considered fraudulent.

"I am deeply concerned for the safety of Iranian people who are braving increasing violence in order to make their voices heard. The international community should condemn the use of harsh tactics against Iranians who are attempting to peacefully express their political beliefs. The outcome of the elections in Iran must reflect the will of the Iranian people."

 

On UN Sanctions

In June of 2010, Senator Feingold released a press statement noting the UN sanctions and his support for those sanctions.

“We face significant challenges from Iran, which has repeatedly shown its unwillingness to play a responsible and constructive role in the international community. By working with the UN Security Council and with the broader international community, the administration has sent a strong message to Iran that it needs to address the very serious and urgent concerns about the nature and extent of its nuclear program. These sanctions must now be enforced and strengthened. At the same time, it is important to remember that sanctions are meant to be a tool towards the resolution of the Iranian nuclear problem, not an end in themselves, and I hope that this hearing will provide a better picture of our broader strategy and plans going forward.”

Voting Record

Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009

In Jume of 2010, the Senate voted on legislation to enact sanctions on Iran's oil system hoping to force it to engage diplomatically on its nuclear program. The measure passed 99-0. Russ Feingold voted in favor of the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009.

Designating Revolutionary Guard as Terrorists

In September of 2007, the Senate voted on a resolution that expressed the sense of the Senate on six items. These items were that:

• that the manner in which the United States transitions and structures its military presence in Iraq will have critical long-term consequences for the future of the Persian Gulf and the Middle East
• that it is a vital national interest of the United States to prevent the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran from turning Shi'a militia extremists in Iraq into a Hezbollah-like force that could serve its interests inside Iraq
• that it should be the policy of the United States to combat, contain, and roll back the violent activities and destabilizing influence inside Iraq of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran
• to support the prudent and calibrated use of all instruments of United States national power in Iraq, including diplomatic, economic, intelligence, and military instruments, in support of the policy described in paragraph (3) with respect to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies
• that the United States should designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and place the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists, as established under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and initiated under Executive Order 13224
• that the Department of the Treasury should act with all possible expediency to complete the listing of those entities targeted under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1737 and 1747 adopted unanimously on December 23, 2006 and March 24, 2007, respectively.

Critics of the measure called it saber rattling even though it passed by a wide margin. Russ Feingold voted against the resolution.

 

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

Session-111; Bill Number-S 908; Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act - Cosponsor

A bill to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran.

Session-111; Bill Number-S 908; A bill to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran. - Cosponsor

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should continue to support diplomatic efforts in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the U.N. Security Council to end Iran's illicit nuclear activities; (2) diplomatic efforts with Iran are more likely to be effective if the President is empowered with the explicit authority to impose additional sanctions on the government of Iran; (3) it should be U.S. policy to encourage foreign governments to direct state-owned and private entities to cease all investment in, and support of, Iran's energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran; (4) the President is urged to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian financial institution engaged in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups; (5) the Department of the Treasury should continue to work with allies to protect the international financial system from deceptive and illicit practices by Iranian financial institutions involved in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups; (6) U.S. concerns regarding Iran are strictly the result of that government�s actions; and (7) the people of the United States have feelings of friendship for the people of Iran and regret that developments in recent decades have created impediments to that friendship.

Session-110; Bill Number-S 1430; Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007 - Cosponsor

A bill to authorize State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran's energy sector, and for other purposes.

Session-109; Bill Number-S Res 292; Condemning Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Comments - Cosponsor

A resolution calling on the President to condemn the anti-Israel sentiments expressed by the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on October 26, 2005.

Session-105; Bill Number-S 1311; Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997 - Cosponsor

Directs the President to report periodically to specified congressional committees on foreign persons (except those previously identified or sanctioned or subject to waiver) who, on or after August 8, 1995, have transferred, or attempted to transfer, controlled goods or technology, or provided, or attempted to provide, technical assistance or facilities that contributed, or would have contributed, to Iran's efforts to acquire, develop, or produce ballistic missiles. Requires imposition on such persons of minimum two-year sanctions prohibiting: (1) sales to such persons of items on the United States Munitions List (and terminating sales of any controlled U.S. arms); (2) the export to such persons of dual use goods and technology; and (3) the provision of U.S. financial assistance. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions on the basis of additional information demonstrating that the sanctioned person did not commit the acts alleged.

Session-104; Bill Number-S 1228; Iran Oil Sanctions Act of 1995 - Cosponsor

Directs the President to impose certain credit sanctions against persons who, with actual knowledge, have made an investment of more than $40 million in any 12-month period that has significantly contributed to the development of petroleum resources in Iran.

Session-109; Bill Number-S Con res 78; Iran Nuclear Violations - Cosponsor

Condemns the government of Iran's many failures to comply with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations, including its obligations under the Safeguards Agreement, its suspension commitments under the Paris Agreement, and prior commitments to the EU-3 to suspend all enrichment- and reprocessing-related activities. Commends the efforts of the governments of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to seek a credible suspension of Iran's enrichment- and reprocessing-related activities and to find a diplomatic means to address Iran's noncompliance with such obligations. Urges the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors at its February 2006 special meeting to order that Iran's noncompliance be reported to the U.N. Security Council. Calls on Security Council members, in particular the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, to consider any report of Iran's noncompliance in fulfillment of the Security Council's mandate to respond to situations bearing on international peace and security.

Session-105; Bill Number-S 1311; Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997 - Cosponsor

A bill to impose certain sanctions on foreign persons who transfer items contributing to Iran's efforts to acquire, develop, or produce ballistic missiles.

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