As everyone who follows this issue knows, last week House leadership decided that it was time to move ahead with far-reaching, probably counter-productive Iran sanctions (HR 2194 - for APN's view on this bill, click here).
As of yesterday afternoon, the popular wisdom (including among many House supporters of that bill), was that this is a risk-free strategy -- in terms of putting the Obama Administration in an awkward position, given that its end-of-year deadline for progress in negotiations has not yet passed, and given the Obama Administration's assumed preference for pursuing multilateral sanctions at the present time. It was assumed to be risk-free because it was assumed that the Senate was not going to move on its own version of IRSPA any time before the new year.
Well, popular wisdom was wrong.
As of yesterday afternoon, the popular wisdom (including among many House supporters of that bill), was that this is a risk-free strategy -- in terms of putting the Obama Administration in an awkward position, given that its end-of-year deadline for progress in negotiations has not yet passed, and given the Obama Administration's assumed preference for pursuing multilateral sanctions at the present time. It was assumed to be risk-free because it was assumed that the Senate was not going to move on its own version of IRSPA any time before the new year.
Well, popular wisdom was wrong.
The assumption that the Senate would be sufficiently busy - or
sufficiently wise and responsible - that its version of the Iran
sanctions bill (S. 2799 - an omnibus "everything but the kitchen sink"
bill) has proven mistaken.
Today, at around noon, Senate leadership hotlined the bill. Meaning that barring any objections, the bill will be brought to the floor and passed without debate, without amendment, and without a roll-call vote. This is called unanimous consent - a move reserved, generally, for bills that are clear and non-controversial.
To see APN's message to all Senate offices regarding the hotline request, click here.
It remains to be seen if the entire Senate will agree that a bill that would impact virtually every aspect of US policy (and policy options) related to Iran - now and for the foreseeable future - is clear and non-controversial. One can hope that at least one senator will be brave and conscientious enough to refuse the U/C request - something known as putting a "hold" on the bill. Holds, it should be recalled, are anonymous (and generally remain that way).
Barring that, it looks very possible that IRPSA, in some form, could become law before the end of the year, popular wisdom, good intentions, and good US policy be damned.
Today, at around noon, Senate leadership hotlined the bill. Meaning that barring any objections, the bill will be brought to the floor and passed without debate, without amendment, and without a roll-call vote. This is called unanimous consent - a move reserved, generally, for bills that are clear and non-controversial.
To see APN's message to all Senate offices regarding the hotline request, click here.
It remains to be seen if the entire Senate will agree that a bill that would impact virtually every aspect of US policy (and policy options) related to Iran - now and for the foreseeable future - is clear and non-controversial. One can hope that at least one senator will be brave and conscientious enough to refuse the U/C request - something known as putting a "hold" on the bill. Holds, it should be recalled, are anonymous (and generally remain that way).
Barring that, it looks very possible that IRPSA, in some form, could become law before the end of the year, popular wisdom, good intentions, and good US policy be damned.
Tweet
Buzz
8/23 
The senate must be stopped from passing this bill. It will hurt Iranian people more than Iranian government. Please tell me if tomorrow the world stop shipping oil to America who would be first to loose their gas allowance--Government officials? military or general public?
Think about it.
Bigan Saliani