Should Iranians Funding Militias & Undermining Democracy in Iraq Face Sanctions? (H.R. 4591)

What is H.R. 4591?

(Updated December 7, 2018)

This bill — the Preventing Iranian Destabilization of Iraq Act — would impose on Iranians who threaten the peace or stability of Iraq, attempt to undermine the democratic process in Iraq, or undermine economic reconstruction and political reforms in Iraq. Sanctioned individuals would have all property transactions in the U.S. blocked, in addition to being ineligible for visas (current visas would be revoked), and ineligible for admission to the U.S. Sanctions would be required through the end of the 2021 calendar year. These sanctions are currently imposed by executive order, this bill would codify them into law.

The president would be required to provide Congress with a report periodically (due every 180 days for up to five years) that details:

• Iran’s support for Iraqi militias or political parties;

• A list of referrals to the relevant UN Security Council sanctions committees;

• The disposition of sanctioned Iranians who are in Iraq;

• Lists of Iraqis who aided Iran’s transport of personnel, money, and arms to Syria to aid the Assad regime.

• Iraqi financial institutions that are providing support to Iran-backed militias in Iraq.

• Actions taken by Iran to influence Shia institutions in Najaf, Iraq.

Argument in favor

Congress should signal the importance of deterring Iranian efforts to destabilize Iraq by codifying existing sanctions against Iranians funding militias and undermining Iraq’s economic reconstruction & democratic reforms into law.

Argument opposed

The U.S. shouldn’t try to prevent Iran from destabilizing Iraq by funding elections or undermining economic reconstruction & democratic reforms. These sanctions are already imposed by executive order.

Impact

Sanctioned Iranians; relevant Iraqis and Iraqi financial institutions; Congress; and the president.

Cost of H.R. 4591

The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would cost less than $500,000 annually and total $1 million over the 2019-2023 period.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) introduced this bill to sanction Iranians who threaten the peace and stability of Iraq:

“For decades we have witnessed the true intentions of the Iranian regime when it comes to the United States of America, and our freedom-loving allies around the world. With their tyrannical and nuclear ambitions, the Iranian regime has sought to sow chaos across the Middle East, continuing to prop up murderous dictators and actively work against us. It’s important to remember that a quarter of the American soldiers killed in Iraq were because of Iran. I’m proud to introduce this legislation and send a strong message that we will not tolerate the destabilizing efforts of the Iranian regime when it comes to the Government of Iraq.”

Original cosponsor Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) added:

“Iraq continues to face many threats and obstacles to its peace and security through Iran’s persistent meddling in their state institutions. Just this week, Iran threatened new violence against American troops in Iraq. This bipartisan bill is one more important step towards confronting the leading state sponsor of terror, a tyrannical regime that threatens both Israel and our Arab partners.”

This legislation passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously and has the support of 17 bipartisan cosponsors, including 14 Republicans and three Democrats.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) Press Release
  
• CBO Cost Estimate
  
• Al-Monitor