Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement after sending a letter, signed by sixty-five Members of Congress from both parties, to President Obama calling for strong sanctions on Iran and the Iranian financial system.

“Through its quest for nuclear weapons, extreme ideology, and support for terrorism, the Iranian government poses a threat to both the United States’ national security and to global stability,” said Hultgren. “Today, I was joined by sixty-five of my colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama, reaffirming the need for all relevant branches of our government to work swiftly to cripple Iran’s Central Bank, and collapse the value of the Iranian currency.”

Others signing Hultgren’s letter include Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC) and Illinois Representatives Tim Johnson, Peter Roskam, Bobby Schilling, Aaron Schock, and Joe Walsh. Click here to view the letter in its entirety.

Also today, the House will consider the conference report for H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The NDAA conference report is the product of House-Senate negotiations.

“I am pleased that House and Senate conferees were able to produce a National Defense Authorization Act that provides our troops with the resources they need; makes wise fiscal decisions; and addresses the challenges to our nation’s national security,” said Hultgren. “Passing this bill with bipartisan support ensures that our military and national defense are strong for the year ahead.”

“I hope the Senate will take up this conference report in a timely manner, so that our men and women in uniform have the equipment and resources they need for the year ahead.”

The NDAA provides a pay raise for active duty servicemen and women. It also levies strong sanctions on Iran, similar to what Hultgren called for in his letter, and introduced by Illinois Senator Mark Kirk. In addition, the NDAA freezes $700 million in aid to Pakistan pending Pakistani efforts against terrorist networks within that country.