Congressman Michael McCaul

Representing the 10th District of Texas

McCaul Introduces Bill to Continue Fight Against Iranian Terror

Jan 10, 2017
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), along with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), introduced The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Terrorist Designation Act to protect America and her allies from the threat of Iranian terror.  Specifically, this legislation directs the U.S. State Department to determine whether the IRGC should be designated as a foreign terrorist organization. 
 
The IRGC serves as both a major military and economic entity for the Iranian regime. Through the deployment of the IRGC - Quds Force (IRGC-QF), Iran’s paramilitary wing tasked with external operations, the IRGC has been responsible for some of the deadliest terrorist attacks of the past three decades.   According to the State Department, the IRGC and its Quds Force “is the regime’s primary mechanism for cultivating and supporting terrorists abroad.” 
 
Congressman McCaul: “If a foreign organization looks like a terror group, operates like a terror group, and supports terrorism, then it should be called for what it is – a foreign terrorist organization.  As obvious as that seems, for years the IRGC has been allowed to operate clandestinely using front companies and illicit networks to evade formal designation. The Obama Administration has chosen to turn a blind eye to these activities for the sake of a flawed nuclear agreement which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei stated publicly would not alter Iran’s behavior. As a result, the Iranian-Quds Force continues to fund and train terrorist proxies abroad, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, putting our allies in the region at risk and betraying U.S. national security interests. The time to hold the Ayatollahs accountable is long overdue and this legislation is a step in the right direction.”
 
Senator Cruz: “As a result of the recent, terrible deal the United States negotiated with Iran, IRGC-owned and affiliated companies have greater access to the global financial system, which will in turn lend increased economic support to the IRGC’s terrorist activities. We must mitigate this damage by designating IGRC as a foreign terror organization, signaling to financial institutions and companies who facilitate or conduct business with the IRGC that they may be held liable. Turning a blind eye to the IRGC is no pathway to peace in our struggle against radical Islamic terror; it only guarantees the ultimate success of our enemy. We must call this enemy by its name and speak with clarity and moral authority.”
 
Congressman Michael McCaul has represented the 10th District of Texas since 2005.  Currently, he serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and senior member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
 
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