Sens.

Cornyn, Brownback Announce Legislation to Pave the Way for Freedom and Democracy in Iran

Feb 11 2010

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, today announced the introduction of

legislation to support efforts by Iranian opposition groups to remove the abusive and destabilizing government regime in

Tehran, which is headed by Supreme Leader Ali Hoseyni Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The bill would

establish a program of direct assistance for the Iranian people and would help pave the way for a freely elected, open and

democratic government in Iran. The Iran Democratic Transition Act would not only send a strong message of support to the

Iranian people during this difficult time, it would also provide tangible resources needed to establish a democratic system in

Iran in the near future.

“On the anniversary of the Iranian revolution, throngs of brave Iranians are taking to the streets, risking

their lives to protest the radical, totalitarian regime ruling their nation. The people of Iran are clearly

hungry for freedom, and America has a duty to stand behind them and support their cause. Their cause is

just, and this is the right thing to do. This legislation will send a clear signal to the Iranian people that we

support their efforts to end the current tyrannical regime, which fails to represent their ideals and

democratic aspirations.

“For too long, the voices of forward-looking, freedom-loving Iranians have been muted through the

regime’s violence and intimidation. President Ahmadinejad, with the full support of the Supreme Leader,

has made clear what he stands for. This regime’s human rights abuses, relentless quest for nuclear

weapons, and support for terrorism – including against American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan – must

not be tolerated any longer. It continues to destabilize the Middle East and threaten international peace.

“Never has the cause of freedom in Iran been more urgent. In a free and democratic Iran, national leaders

would never do what Ahmadinejad did today: celebrate the enrichment of uranium in defiance of the entire

international community. I urge Majority Leader Reid and my other colleagues to quickly take up this

legislation to help the Iranian people pave the way for freedom and democracy in Iran,” Sen. Cornyn said.

Sen. Brownback said, "The biggest problem with Iran is not weapons or terrorism but the regime itself.

This legislation would put the United States firmly and unequivocally on the side of the Iranian people. We

must be prepared to stand behind Iranians who are ready to replace a regime that rules by terror with a

government that is chosen by the Iranian people, respects human rights and does not pose a threat to world

peace."

Highlights of the Iran Democratic Transition Act.

Findings. The bill describes the current Iranian regime’s human rights abuses, clear support of terrorism, pursuit of

nuclear weapons, and belligerent rhetoric regarding attacks on both Israel and the United States.
Declarations of Policy. The bill states that U.S. policy towards Iran should be:

• to fully and publicly support efforts of the Iranian people to oppose and remove the current regime and transition to a

freely elected, open, and democratic government in Iran;

• to deny the current regime the ability to:

o Continue to oppress the people of Iran;

o Interfere with the internal affairs of its neighbors, including Iraq and Afghanistan;

o Finance or support terrorist organizations;

o Develop weapons of mass destruction and the associated delivery systems.

U.S. Assistance for Democratic Opposition Groups. The bill authorizes the President to support a transition to

democracy in Iran by providing non-military assistance to Iranian democratic opposition organizations, as well as

humanitarian assistance to victims of the current regime.

Creation of Special Envoy for Democracy and Human Rights in Iran. The bill creates the position of “Special

Envoy for Democracy and Human Rights in Iran,” which would hold the rank of Ambassador, to coordinate U.S. efforts for

the promotion and support of democracy and human rights in Iran.

Exploration of Regional Framework on Human Rights. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should

explore the possibility of a multilateral and regional initiative to protect human rights, modeled after the Helsinki process

established by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Reports to Congress. The bill would require the President to submit two reports to Congress: 1) detailing a clear plan for

implementation of this act, and 2) following the establishment of a transitional government in Iran, detailing a

comprehensive plan for U.S. support of the Iranian people during the transition period.

http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=1f75dd02-ae27-4e67-bced-7b0866a8531f
Cornyn, Brownback introduce bill to back regime change in Iran

By Bridget Johnson ‐ 02/14/10 08:40 PM ET 

Two Republican senators have introduced a bill to "fully and publicly support efforts of the Iranian people
to oppose and remove the current regime."

The Iran Democratic Transition Act was announced Thursday by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sam
Brownback (R-Kan.), the same day that the Islamic Republic celebrated the 31st anniversary of the
revolution and also the same day that Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), GOP Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Joseph
Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) introduced a bill that would slap sanctions on Iranians who
violate the human rights of other Iranians.

Cornyn and Brownback's bill -- citing human-rights violations, nuclear weapons pursuit, support of terrorism
and "belligerent rhetoric regarding attacks on both Israel and the United States" -- not only backs regime change
but advocates it. Both are positions the Obama administration has shied away from as the White House
continues to pursue diplomatic avenues to convince Iran to halt its uranium enrichment.

Iran, which claims its nuclear program is for peaceful energy and medical purposes, has ignored White
House deadlines and pushed forward with its uranium enrichment efforts.

Cornyn and Brownback's bill would authorize non-military assistance to pro-democracy Iranian opposition
groups, create a special envoy for democracy and human rights in Iran, explore a mulilateral regional
framework on human rights, and require President Barack Obama to submit two reports to Congress
detailing both the implementation of the bill and a plan to back the Iranian people "following the
establishment of a transitional government in Iran."

The legislation states that U.S. policy should be "to fully and publicly support efforts of the Iranian people
to oppose and remove the current regime and transition to a freely elected, open, and democratic
government in Iran."

“Never has the cause of freedom in Iran been more urgent," Cornyn said. "In a free and democratic Iran,
national leaders would never do what Ahmadinejad did today: celebrate the enrichment of uranium in
defiance of the entire international community. I urge Majority Leader Reid and my other colleagues to
quickly take up this legislation to help the Iranian people pave the way for freedom and democracy in
Iran."

"The biggest problem with Iran is not weapons or terrorism but the regime itself," Brownback said. "This
legislation would put the United States firmly and unequivocally on the side of the Iranian people."

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/81061-cornyn-brownback-introduce-bill-to-support-
regime-change-in-iran
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Scott Brown signs the Iran Democratic Transition Act Bill

Scott Brown co-sponsored his first significant bill in DC. The Bill S.3800 that was introduced by Republicans
John Cornyn and Sam Brownback. The bill is to establish a program to support a transition to a freely elected,
open democracy in Iran. This is a response to President Obama's inaction and lack of support of the Green
movement and human rights atrocities occurring under the ruling Islamic Republic of Iran's watch. The Bill
declares that the interest of the US and international peace are threatened by the ongoing and destabilizing
actions of the Iran Government. The bill spells out support of democracy, free elections and support for human
rights in Iran.

Scott Brown co-sponsored this bill along with 18 of the most Conservative Republican's in the Senate. Notable
Co-sponsors are Jim Demint, David Vitter, Richard Burr, James Inhofe and John Ensign. Scott Browns
involvement is consistent with his Hawkish aggressive campaign platform in regards to foreign policy and
national security issues.
Posted by NorsU at 2:31

http://httpmyblogblogspotcom-norsu.blogspot.com/2010/02/scott-brown-signs-iran-democratic.html
S 3008 IS

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3008

To establish a program to support a transition to a freely elected, open democracy in Iran.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 11, 2010

Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr. BROWNBACK) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

A BILL

To establish a program to support a transition to a freely elected, open democracy in Iran.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Iran Democratic Transition Act of 2010’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has a history of violating the
human rights of its own citizens.

(2) According to the Department of State’s 2008 Country Report on Human Rights
Practices, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its agents--

(A) have tortured detainees and prisoners; and

(B) have committed numerous arbitrary and unlawful killings, including the
killing of juveniles.

(3) On January 28, 2010, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran hanged 2 men
accused of participating in protests following the disputed June 12, 2009, presidential
election.
(4) On February 2, 2010, Ebrahim Raisi, a senior member of Iran’s judiciary,
announced that 9 additional dissidents would soon be hanged for their opposition to the
Islamic regime.

(5) On June 12, 2009, the Islamic Republic of Iran staged a presidential election that--

(A) was marred by--

(i) fraud;

(ii) the barring of candidate observers at many polling stations;

(iii) a shut-down of Internet and text services by the regime; and

(iv) violent repression of protests; and

(B) despite widespread protests, resulted in the certification of incumbent

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the winner.

(6) The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran--

(A) increasingly restricts the operation of international media within Iran,

including the February 7, 2010, arrest of 7 people associated with Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty’s Persian language program, Radio Farda; and

(B) imposes significant restrictions on Iranian press outlets, including--

(i) the jailing and torturing of numerous media employees; and

(ii) restricting Iranian citizens’ access to the Internet.

(7) According to the Department of State’s 2009 International Religious Freedom report
regarding Iran, in the 1-year period ending June 30, 2009--

(A) ‘respect for religious freedom in [Iran] continued to deteriorate’; and

(B) ‘[g]overnment rhetoric and actions created a threatening atmosphere for

nearly all non-Shi’a religious groups’.

(8) January 12, 2010, was the first day of a show trial for 7 Iranian Baha’i leaders
accused of espionage, which could result in the imposition of the death penalty.

(9) According to the 2008 Department of State Country Reports on Terrorism,

published in April 2009, Iran--

(A) ‘remained the most significant state sponsor of terrorism’;

 (B) ‘has long employed terrorism to advance its key national security and
foreign policy interests, which include regime survival, regional dominance,
opposition to Arab-Israeli peace, and countering western influence, particularly
in the Middle East’;

(C) continues to hinder the Middle East peace process by using the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods to arm, train, and fund militants and terrorist
organizations, including Hamas, Lebanese Hizballah, and the Palestinian Islamic
Jihad; and

(D) despite its pledge to support stabilization in Iraq, has used the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods to cultivate and support certain Iraqi Shi’a
militant groups.

(10) Iran’s support for militant and terrorist organizations--

(A) has directly bolstered Hamas’ ability to strike Israel; and

(B) includes the supply of arms to Hezbollah in direct violation of United

Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

(11) The report also states that--

(A) ‘despite a dramatic decrease in attacks in Iraq since August 2008, security
remains fragile, in part because the Qods Force continued to provide lethal
support to select Iraqi militant groups that target U.S., Iraqi and Coalition
forces’; and

(B) ‘Iranian weapons transfers to select Taliban members in Afghanistan in

2008 continued to threaten Afghan and NATO troops operating under UN
mandate and undermine stabilization efforts in that country’.

(12) On October 26, 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated, ‘to those
who doubt, to those who ask is it possible or those who do not believe, I say
accomplishment of a world without America and Israel is both possible and feasible’.

(13) On June 2, 2008, Ahmadinejad stated that Israel--

(A) ‘will be wiped off the pages of history’; and

(B) ‘is about to die and will soon be erased from the geographical scene. . . .
Today, the time for the fall of the satanic power of the United States has come
and the countdown to the annihilation of the emperor of power and wealth has
started’.

(14) Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei--

 (A) gave a speech on March 4, 2009, in which he referred to the State of Israel
as a ‘cancerous tumor’ and indicated that negotiations with Israel were a ‘big
mistake’; and

(B) posted on his official website on January 27, 2010, ‘the day will come when
nations of the region will witness the destruction of the Zionist regime’.

(15) On September 21, 2009, Iran revealed to the International Atomic Energy Agency
that it was constructing a second uranium enrichment at an underground site near Qom.

(16) United States intelligence officials have said that despite this notification--

(A) Iran originally intended for the facility to be kept secret;

(B) the United States had been ‘observing and analyzing the facility for several
years’; and

(C) President Barack Obama has noted that ‘the size and configuration of this
facility is inconsistent with a peaceful program’.

(17) On February 3, 2010, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair stated, in

written testimony to Congress, ‘Iran’s technical advancement, particularly in uranium
enrichment, strengthens our 2007 NIE [National Intelligence Estimate] assessment that
Iran has the scientific, technical and industrial capacity to eventually produce nuclear
weapons, making the central issue its political will to do so. These advancements lead
us to reaffirm our judgment from the 2007 NIE that Iran is technically capable of
producing enough [highly enriched uranium] for a weapon in the next few years, if it
chooses to do so.’

SEC. 3. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY TOWARD IRAN.

Congress makes the following declarations:

(1) The interests of the United States and international peace are threatened by the
ongoing and destabilizing actions of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
including its--

(A) massive, systematic, and extraordinary violations of the human rights of its
own citizens;

(B) continued interference with the internal affairs of its neighbors, including
Iraq and Afghanistan;

(C) support for, and facilitation of, terrorist activities; and

(D) attempts to develop weapons of mass destruction and long-range missile

delivery systems.
 (2) It should be the policy of the United States to deny the Government of the Islamic
Republic of Iran the ability to continue--

(A) to oppress the people of Iran and use violence and executions against pro-
democracy protestors and regime opponents;

(B) to interfere in the internal affairs of its neighbors, including Iraq and
Afghanistan;

(C) to finance, provide safe-haven, or otherwise support terrorist organizations;

or

(D) to develop chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons, and

ballistic missile delivery systems.

(3) It should be the policy of the United States--

(A) to fully and publicly support efforts made by the people of Iran to oppose
and remove the regime headed by Supreme Leader Ali Hoseyni Khamenei and
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from power in Iran; and

(B) to promote the emergence of a freely elected, open, and democratic

government to replace the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT A TRANSITION TO A FREELY ELECTED,

OPEN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN IRAN.

(a) Authorization To Provide Assistance-

(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President is

authorized to support a transition to a freely elected, open, democratic government in
Iran by providing eligible Iranian democratic opposition organizations with the
assistance set forth in this subsection.

(2) ASSISTANCE FOR BROADCASTING AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS-

(A) IN GENERAL- The President may grant assistance directly to Iranian

democratic opposition organizations for the communication and dissemination
of accurate and independent information to the Iranian people through radio,
television, Internet, cellular telephone, short message service, and other media.

(B) USE OF EXISTING AUTHORITY TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY-

Notwithstanding any other provision of law that may restrict or prohibit aid to
Iran, Congress urges the President to fully utilize existing authorities and
funding, including under the Iran Freedom Support Act (Public Law 109-293)
and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law
111-84), to support and promote democracy in Iran through assistance for pro-
 democracy broadcasting into Iran and the dissemination of accurate and
independent information to the Iranian people through various media.

(3) HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE- Notwithstanding any other laws that may bar
aid to Iran, Congress urges the President to use existing authorities under the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) to provide humanitarian assistance to
individuals or groups determined by the President to be victims of repression by the
Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly those individuals or groups
eligible for assistance under paragraph (1).

(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-

(A) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department

of State such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010 to carry out this
subsection.

(B) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts authorized to be appropriated

under this section--

(i) are in addition to amounts otherwise available for the purposes

described in this section; and

(ii) shall remain available until expended.

(b) Notification Requirement- Not later than 15 days before each obligation of assistance under
this section, the President shall notify the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, in
accordance with the procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications under section 634A
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394-1).

(c) Eligibility Criteria- An Iranian democratic opposition organization may receive assistance
under subsection (a) only if the President determines that the organization--

(1) includes a broad spectrum of Iranian individuals or groups that have a demonstrable
and proven record of--

(A) opposition to the current Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; and

(B) commitment to fostering cooperation among democratic opponents of the

current Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran;

(2) is dedicated to democratic values and supports the adoption of a democratic form of
government in Iran;

(3) is dedicated to respect for human rights, including the fundamental equality of
women;
 (4) supports freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of association, and
freedom of religion;

(5) officially opposes the use of violence and terrorism and has not been designated as a
foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1189) at any time;

(6) advocates the adherence by Iran to nonproliferation regimes for nuclear, chemical,
and biological weapons and materiel; and

(7) is committed to peaceful relations with the countries surrounding Iran.

(d) Restriction on Assistance- Assistance may not be provided under this section to any
organization or individual that has, at any time--

(1) engaged in military cooperation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Iran; or

(2) engaged in or supported an act of terrorism.

SEC. 5. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN.

(a) Establishment- The President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, a Special Envoy for Democracy and Human Rights in Iran (referred to in this section as
the ‘Special Envoy’), who shall hold the rank of Ambassador.

(b) Duties-

(1) MANAGEMENT OF POLICY ON PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY AND

HUMAN RIGHTS- The primary responsibility of the Special Envoy shall be to manage
United States policy on the promotion of democracy and human rights in Iran.

(2) OTHER DUTIES- The Special Envoy shall--

(A) advise the President and the Secretary of State, as appropriate;

(B) in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs and the
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, make
recommendations regarding effective strategies and tactics to achieve a
democratic transition in Iran;

(C) support and promote international efforts to promote human rights and
political freedoms in Iran, including coordination between the United States and
the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, and countries in the region;

(D) establish the regional framework described in section 6;

 (E) coordinate with appropriate offices of the Department of State, the
Department of Defense, the National Security Council, and such other agencies
as may be necessary to coordinate the establishment and operation of the
regional framework;

(F) serve as point of contact for opposition groups, nongovernmental

organizations, and individuals and organizations from the Iranian diaspora to
acquire greater information and reporting on conditions in Iran;

(G) coordinate efforts with appropriate departments and agencies of the United
States Government, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations,
and individuals and organizations from the Iranian diaspora to acquire greater
information and reporting on conditions in Iran;

(H) oversee funding for, and provide consultative authority with respect to,
public and private broadcasting into Iran; and

(I) review strategies for improving the protection of human rights in Iran,
including technical training and exchange programs.

SEC. 6. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL

FRAMEWORK ON HUMAN RIGHTS.

(a) Finding- Congress finds that human rights initiatives can be undertaken on a multilateral
basis, as demonstrated by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which
established a regional framework for discussing human rights, scientific and educational
cooperation, and economic and trade issues.

(b) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that the United States Government should
explore the possibility of a regional human rights dialogue on Iran that is modeled on the
Helsinki process established by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
engaging in all countries in the region in a common commitment to respect human rights and
fundamental freedoms.

SEC. 7. OTHER SUPPORT FOR TRANSITION IN IRAN.

(a) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of the Congress that, if the Iranian people successfully
restore full democratic rule to Iran, the United States should fully support Iran’s transition to a
freely elected, open democracy by providing--

(1) immediate and substantial humanitarian assistance to the Iranian people; and

(2) democracy transition assistance to eligible Iranian parties and movements with
democratic goals.

(b) Report to Congress on Plan for United States Support- Not later than 90 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a report to Congress that describes a
 clear plan for implementation of this Act, including aid programs, recipients, and strategies to
promote the emergence of a freely elected, open, and democratic government in Iran.

(c) Report to Congress After Transition in Iran- Not later than 90 days after the establishment
of a transitional government in Iran, the President shall submit a report to Congress, in
classified and unclassified form, that describes a comprehensive plan for United States support
of--

(1) the Iranian people during the transition to a new, freely elected, open, and
democratic government;

(2) the new Iranian government’s efforts--

(A) to restore full human rights to the people of Iran; and

(B) protect these rights in the future;

(3) the new Iranian government’s commitment to dismantling Iran’s nuclear weapons
program; and

(4) the new Iranian government’s cessation of Iran’s historical financing and other
support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other groups designated as foreign terrorist
organizations by the Secretary of State.

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s3008/text