"IRPSA is akin to using a chainsaw when a scalpel is in order," said APN President and CEO Debra DeLee. "The threat posed by Iran cannot be bludgeoned away. It calls for a careful and delicate approach. A sanctions bill that does not differentiate between the Iranian leadership and the Iranian people is the wrong way to go. Furthermore, rather than empowering the President to use the full range of effective diplomatic and punitive instruments in his toolbox, the bill limits the President's maneuvering room on Iran. That is counterproductive. It is an approach that we cannot support and that we believe Congress should not support," DeLee said.

DeLee emphasized that APN does not oppose sanctions on Iran. APN has consistently supported targeted sanctions that are a part of a broader US strategy to deal with the critical challenges that Iran poses to the US and its allies. APN's opposition to HR 2194, in its current form, mainly reflects the notion that the bill:

Targets the Iranian people, in the extremely unlikely hope that Iranians will pressure their government to change course;
Takes authority away from the President on this critical issue, rather than empowering him;
 
APN today sent messages to all congressional offices, urging members to oppose the bill, in its current form, when it is brought to the floor. The messages link to a detailed, section-by-section analysis of the bill, which includes proposed changes to IRPSA. HR 2194 is expected to be brought to a vote on the House floor next week. In addition, APN sent an action alert to its supporters, suggesting that they ask their representatives to oppose the bill.

To download APN's analysis of the bill, go HERE

To read APN's detailed Iran policy, go HERE