WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) this week voted for multiple bills to fight terrorism, including legislation to thwart terrorism financing and to hold Iran accountable for its state sponsorship of terrorism.

“As the fight against terrorism continuously evolves, we must be alert and stay ahead of our enemies and work to protect our nation,” said Congressman Guthrie. “The bills that I voted for this week will weaken terrorist organizations by codifying measures to hold Iran accountable for sponsoring terrorism. I also voted to prevent taxpayer money from being used to purchase heavy water from Iran, an Obama administration plan that Secretary Kerry acknowledged could end up supporting Iran’s nuclear program and terrorist activities.”

H.R. 5631, the Iran Accountability Act of 2016, and H.R. 5119, the No 2H2O from Iran Act, will hold Iran accountable for its state sponsorship of terrorism around the world by increasing the penalties for terrorism financing, human rights abuses, and its illegal ballistic missile program, along with blocking the Obama Administration from purchasing heavy water from Iran’s nuclear program.

Congressman Guthrie also supported three other bills that passed the House this week related to Iran and terrorism. H.R.4992 will prohibit the Obama Administration from using U.S. dollars to facilitate trade transactions with Iran and preserve Iran’s designation as a money laundering concern. H.R. 5469 will require the Secretary of the Treasury to direct the U.S. representative at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support leveraging the IMF’s resources to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. H.R. 5594 will require the President to develop and publish an annual government strategy to combat money laundering and keep money out of the hands of terrorist organizations.

“In lieu of the Administration’s easing of sanctions against Iran, we must find ways to bring Iran back to the negotiating table and these bills will help enforce consequences on the regime when its actions threaten America’s security. These bills also send a strong message to anyone who would seek to support terrorism around the world that their actions will not be tolerated,” added Congressman Guthrie.

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