House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Tenney Resolution to Support Iranian Protestors

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today took part in a committee markup during which a resolution that she sponsored passed unanimously. 

The bipartisan resolution, H.Con.Res 110, was introduced with the support of Rankign Member Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10) and Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ-07). The resolution commends the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran, who have been demonstrating in more than 80 cities and risking their safety to speak out against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses.

“The Iranian regime’s ongoing violent crackdown on protestors exposes its egregious denial of fundamental human rights and dignity. While the regime continues to protect the abusers of the Iranian people and hide their horrific actions from the world, the United States will continue to expose these human rights abusers and record their shameful acts for history,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I’m honored to have introduced this piece of legislation with my colleagues Ranking Member Mike McCaul and Tom Malinowski to stand with the people of Iran in their struggle to establish a democratic country, where they can one day live freely and safely again. We must do everything in our power to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its malign actions against its people and our partners in the region.”

“I am proud that the House Foreign Affairs Committee took bipartisan action today to commend the brave protestors in Iran speaking out against the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses,” said Congressman McCaul. “We have a responsibility to support these courageous protestors. And that includes making sure that they can tell their story to the world by helping to keep internet access options available and functioning. The American people are on the side of the Iranian people and the administration must do more to support the protestors, including imposing sanctions.”

“For nearly 80 days, Iranian men and women have taken to the streets to fight for freedom, dignity, and change. Their courage is an inspiration, and I hope their efforts are a turning point,” said Congressman Malinowski. “The United States must continue to lead the world in condemning the government’s repression and support the Iranian people’s struggle.”

Congresswoman Tenney delivered the following remarks during the committee, which can be watched here. 

Chairman Meeks, Ranking Member McCaul, thank you for convening today’s markup. There is a lot of great legislation before us today, including a resolution that I was pleased to introduce with the Ranking Member and Congressman Malinowski:

H.Con.Res.110 - Commending the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran demonstrating in more than 80 cities and risking their safety to speak out against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses.

For nearly three months, protests have been raging across Iran in the wake of the death of Mahsa Amini who was arrested for violating Iran’s strict dress codes and later died while in custody.

In response to these protests, Iran has violently cracked down on these peaceful protestors. At least 76 protestors have been killed by Iranian security forces already, and the regime has triggered widespread internet blackouts to stop all communication and video sharing.

While the regime continues to protect the abusers of the Iranian people and hide their horrific actions from the world, the United States will continue to expose these human rights abusers and record their shameful acts for history.

This bipartisan resolution commends the brave Iranians protesting in support of their freedoms while 
condemning the Iranian regime’s violent suppression.

My resolution also urges the Biden administration to use every tool at their disposal to support the Iranian protestors. This includes sanctioning regime officials, expanding internet access in Iran, and opposing the regime’s attempts to use facial recognition software and data for mass surveillance.

Finally, this resolution encourages the international community to condemn the Iranian regime’s brutality and violence against the protestors, speak out against Iran’s violations of human rights, and to impose sanctions on the Iranian regime.

I will continue to stand with the people of Iran in their struggle to establish a democratic, non-nuclear country, where they can one day live freely and safely again.

We must all speak the truth together, especially here in Congress, and do everything in our power to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its malign actions against its people and our partners in the region. 

I want to thank Ranking Member McCaul and Congressman Malinowski for co-leading this important resolution with me. 

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this important resolution, not only for the sake of the Iranian people, but for the cause of peace for the years to come. 

Thank you, I yield back.

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