WASHINGTON— Today, Congressman Jim Banks released the following statement in response to the enactment of his MAHSA Act, legislation to sanction the Iranian regime for its human rights abuses.
Rep. Banks first introduced the MAHSA Act during the 117th Congress after the tragic murder of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran’s “Morality Police.” Mahsa Amini’s death triggered pro-democracy and anti-regime protests in Iran and around the world. The House first passed the MAHSA Act in September 2023, with Senators Rubio (R-FL) and Padilla (D-CA) introducing companion legislation. Read a one-pager on the bill here.
Congressman Banks said: “My MAHSA Act includes some of the toughest Iran sanctions to pass through Congress and become law since I was first elected in 2016. This bill marks a big step towards undoing Joe Biden’s policy of appeasement that has destabilized the Middle East and endangered our ally Israel. The MAHSA Act will force this president to hold Iran accountable.”
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “Rep. Banks’ MAHSA Act is an important step towards the successful Maximum Pressure campaign I oversaw in 2018. Congress is right to push the Biden administration away from its failed policy of appeasing the Ayatollah that led to Iran’s recent missile attack on our closest ally, Israel. Maximum pressure works and will restore deterrence in the Middle East.”
The National Union for Democracy in Iran stated: “The MAHSA Act marks an historic step in the pursuit of justice and accountability for the Iranian people. By targeting the dictators of the Islamic Republic, along with their associates, this legislation sets a profound precedent for America’s commitment to human rights and democracy in Iran. The passage of the MAHSA Act sends a resounding message to the criminal regime in Tehran that the United States will not stand idly by while they oppress the Iranian people.
NUFDI extends the sincere thanks of Iranian-Americans across the country to Congressman Banks for his leadership and to members of both parties in both houses of Congress for taking a stand for America’s interests and values by supporting this legislation. We congratulate the Iranian-American community who worked tirelessly to overcome the obstacles, including the lobbying of Islamic Republic supporters, to enshrine Mahsa Amini’s name into American law. This is a first step towards a comprehensive policy of Maximum Pressure on the Islamic Republic and Maximum Support of the Iranian people.”
United Against Nuclear Iran stated: “UANI applauds the passage of the MAHSA Act, which will pave the way for long overdue sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s supreme leader, president, and the entities they control under counterterrorism and human rights abuse authorities.”
Background:
The MAHSA Act had 128 House cosponsors and is supported by the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI), United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
In October 2023, Rep. Banks re-introduced with 85 original cosponsors the most formidable Iran sanctions package ever proposed by Congress, the Maximum Pressure Act, to codify the Trump administration’s successful maximum pressure campaign on Iran into law. Rep. Banks previously introduced this bill alongside former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the beginning of the 117th Congress.
