PAAIA Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans Congressional Scorecard | 114th Congress, 2015-2016 Table of Contents About PAAIA.....................................................................................................................................................ii The Congressional Scorecard...................................................................................................ii Section I: Senate................................................................................................................................................1 Nuclear Agreement Legislation..............................................................................................2 U.S. - Iran Relations.................................................................................................................5 Immigration.............................................................................................................................6 Section II: House of Representatives..........................................................................................................15 Nuclear Agreement Legislation............................................................................................16 U.S. - Iran Relations...............................................................................................................18 Immigration...........................................................................................................................21 Special Topics........................................................................................................................23 *Cover image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Martin Falbisoner. Some rights reserved. i About PAAIA The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans, PAAIA, Inc., is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonreligious 501(c)(4) organization that serves the interests of Iranian Americans and represents the community before U.S. policymakers and the American public at large. We work to foster great- er understanding between the people of Iran and the United States, expand opportunities for the active participation of Iranian Americans in the democratic process at all levels of government and in the public debate, and provide opportunities for advancement for our next generation. One of PAAIA’s principal missions is to advocate and advance policies and legislation at the local, state, and national levels on matters of interest or concern to Iranian Americans and in furtherance of the best interests of our community. To that end, PAAIA’s Public Policy Center aims to edu- cate the Iranian American community about the laws, regulations, and policies that affect their lives, and to educate policymakers, lawmakers, and the general public about the views of Iranian Americans on important policy issues. The Congressional Scorecard The PAAIA 2015-2016 Congressional Scorecard rates members of Congress on votes and other positions taken in the House of Representatives and Senate in the 114th Congress that affect and are of interest to the Iranian American community. Published yearly, the primary purpose of the scorecard is to ensure that Iranian Americans are informed of the voting records and performances of their members of Congress. In addition, the scorecard ensures that members of Congress are aware that their votes and positions on issues of im- portance to the Iranian American community will be analyzed and made public. It examines votes and positions only for 2015-2016, and does not, in any way, reflect each member’s past voting record. The scorecard is merely an informational tool used by PAAIA and its affiliated organizations and does not indicate our approval or disapproval of specific members of Congress. In this scorecard, PAAIA focuses on legislation and congressional actions regarding the Iran Nuclear Agreement, U.S. - Iran relations, and immi- gration. We have also included a "special topics" for noteworthy legislation that does not fall neatly into any other category. The following sections’ analyses indicate whether PAAIA supports (+) or opposes (-) the legislation. Those who introduced, cosponsored, or voted for measures are indicated by an additional (+) or (-) with their names, depending on PAAIA’s position. The designation "S" refers to a bill in the Senate, while "H.R." referse to House Resolutions. ii Section I: Senate 1 Nuclear Agreement Legislation S.269 - Nuclear Weapons Free Iran Act of 2015 The bill, amongst other measures, would have reinstated sanctions on Iran that were previously waived under the interim nuclear agreement and would have imposed new economic penalties on Iran if international ne- gotiations did not yield a final nuclear deal by the self-imposed deadline. PAAIA supported the Obama Administration’s efforts in urging Senators to temporarily hold off on imple- menting new sanctions legislation while talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program were in process. Ad- ministration officials as well as most national security experts expressed concerns that passing such legisla- tion could potentially derail the negotiations and splinter the international coalition cooperating on sanctions. Cosponsors receive a (-) on the scorecard. Primary Sponsors: Sen. Kirk, Mark [R-IL], Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] Co-sponsors: 52 Status: Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Shelby. Without written report. 2 | © PAAIA Public Policy Center 2016 Cotton Letter - Warning Iranian Leaders that President Obama’s successor could revoke any nuclear agreement On March 9, 2016, a group of Republican Senators sent an open letter to Iranian leaders, warning that Presi- dent Obama’s successor could revoke any nuclear agreement "with the stroke of a pen" if the deal is not ap- proved by Congress. The letter was spearheaded by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK), a staunch opponent of the nuclear talks with Iran. The letter drew criticism from the Obama Administration, Democrats, and some -Re publicans for potentially undermining nuclear negotiations with Iran and threatening to torpedo bipartisan- ship on Capitol Hill when it comes to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. PAAIA’s national public opinion sur- veys indicate that Iranian Americans strongly support diplomatic initiatives to address questions about Iran’s nuclear program. Senators who signed the letter receive a (-) on the scorecard. H.J.Res.64 - Disapproving of the agreement transmitted to Con- gress by the President on July 19, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran The legislation states that Congress does not favor the nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) transmitted by the President to Congress on July 19, 2015, for purposes of prohibiting the tak- ing of any action involving statutory sanctions relief by the United States pursuant to such agreement. On a procedural vote, the resolution fell two votes short of 60 needed to consider the legislation, effectively ensur- ing that the nuclear accord will be implemented. 3 PAAIA’s 2016 national public opinion survey shows that nearly two-thirds of Iranian Americans (65%) ap- proved of the P5+1 agreement with Iran designed to place limits on Iran’s nuclear program. Senators who voted to invoke cloture to end the debate and bring the measure of disapproval for a vote receive a (-) on the scorecard while those who voted against the motion receive a (+). Primary Sponsor: Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39] Co-sponsors: 52 Status: Failed to pass the Senate. S.2119 - Iran Policy Oversight Act The legislation would strengthen implementation of the nuclear agreement with Iran while also reaffirming Congress’s commitment to countering Iran’s activities of concern. It would require the President to designate within the State Department a special coordinator for implementation of and compliance with the JCPOA regarding the Iran’s nuclear program. PAAIA’s 2016 national public opinion survey shows that nearly two- thirds of Iranian Americans (65%) approved of the P5+1 agreement with Iran designed to place limits on Iran’s nuclear program. Cosponsors receive a (+) on the scorecard. Primary Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Ben [D-MD] Co-sponsors: 13 4 | © PAAIA Public Policy Center 2016 Status: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations U.S. - Iran Relations S.3267 - Countering Iranian Threats Act of 2016 The bill seeks to expand sanctions for ballistic missile development, support for terrorism, and other illicit Iranian actions; sanctions transfers of conventional weapons to or from Iran; and extends the expiring Iran Sanctions Act through 2026. In addition, the proposal would prohibit Iran’s financial institutions from engag- ing in dollar-based financial transactions with banks in third-party countries. The legislation would prevent the implementation of certain sanctions relief mandated by the Iran by amongst other measurers prevent permissible dollar transactions between Iran and the international community that are wholly outside the U.S. financial system. PAAIA’s national public opinion surveys indicate that Iranian Americans would not be sup- portive of efforts to undermine or derail the Iran nuclear deal. Cosponsors receive a (-) on the scorecard. Primary Sponsor: Sen. Corker, Bob [R-TN] Co-sponsors: 7 Status: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 5 S.Res.529 - Calling on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release Iranian Americans Siamak Namazi and his fa- ther, Baquer Namazi The resolution calls