(TheRedWire.com) – On Tuesday, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized her Republican counterparts for using a series of anti-Iran bills to mask their legislative shortcomings. These measures include a bipartisan initiative that seeks to prohibit American citizens from traveling to Iran.
Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) asserted, “After Iran’s significant retaliation to Israel’s assault on its consulate last weekend, the Republican majority is deliberately using a range of bills to intensify the Middle East tensions. They are clearly trying to divert attention from their own legislative failures.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) outlined this week’s legislative agenda on Monday, which features 15 different actions aimed at condemning or imposing sanctions on Iran in response to Tehran’s missile and drone strikes on Israel.
Scalise explained, “In response to Iran’s unjustified attack on Israel, the House will shift its focus from the planned legislative agenda to address measures that support our ally Israel and hold Iran and its terrorist allies accountable.”
Additionally, concerns have been raised by peace advocates regarding a bipartisan resolution introduced on Tuesday by Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas), which advocates for regime change in Iran—a nation where a 1953 coup orchestrated by the U.S. and U.K. led to the long-term dominance of an oppressive monarchy.
Weber stated, “For decades, Tehran’s tyrannical leadership has destabilized the Middle East and deliberately spread chaos across the region. This has led to Iran’s direct assault on our closest ally, Israel. It’s imperative that this rogue regime be overthrown immediately.”
One of the most contentious proposals, put forward by Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), calls on the Biden administration to restrict U.S. passport holders from traveling to Iran.
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) criticized this proposal, originally suggested by Elliott Abrams, Trump’s envoy to Iran and alleged war criminal. “Rep. Wilson, known for his connections with [Mojahedin-e-Khalq] and other hawkish groups, is collaborating with a hawkish Democrat on this bill,” NIAC stated.
NIAC further warned, “This ban could have significant consequences for anyone traveling to Iran, irrespective of their nationality. It’s crucial to recognize how unacceptable this is.”
NIAC also highlighted the personal stakes for many, asking, “What if you were barred from traveling to Iran to see family, attend to a sick relative, participate in a wedding, or manage an inheritance, all due to fear of U.S. incarceration?”
Progressive members of Congress argue that these anti-Iran measures are attempts to divert attention from the chaos within the Republican party, as seen in another effort by far-right members to overthrow a Republican House speaker, just months after his predecessor was removed.
Ocasio-Cortez concluded, “The nation and the world require genuine leadership from the House of Representatives at this moment, not resolutions that are likely to escalate to a deadly regional war or worse. I stand against any manipulative efforts to heighten tensions, obstruct peace in the region, and deepen divisions among Americans.”
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