Moskowitz Introduces Bill Targeting Iran Sanction Evasion

Jared Moskowitz/ The Floridian

Despite the existing US sanctions, Iran's oil sales have surged to record highs. The revenue from these sales goes on to finance terrorism worldwide or towards developing nuclear weapons for the regime. To counter these sanction evasions, Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) teamed up with Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) to introduce the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act.

The Jewish Insider reported the bill would impose sanctions on individuals who knowingly aid Iran in evading US oil sanctions, including visa denial and property freezes for the individual in question and their adult family members. Targeted persons include refinery owners, harbormasters, and those who offload, transfer, transport, or sell Iranian oil.

Additionally, the SHIP Act would require the White House to issue reports on Iranian oil sales to Congress, especially those going to China.

In a statement for the Insider, Rep. Moskowitz said of the bill, "All foreign adversaries better think twice if they believe they can finance and facilitate terror and get away with it."

"This legislation will impose additional sanctions and deny Iran the ability to destabilize activities across the region, fund terrorist groups, violate human rights, and commit acts of oppression. All foreign adversaries better think twice if they believe they can finance and facilitate terror and get away with it," Moskowitz told the Insider.

On Twitter, Moskowitz stated, "Foreign adversaries will not get away with financing and facilitating terror."

"Foreign adversaries will not get away with financing and facilitating terror. I’m proud to introduce legislation with @RepMikeLawler that will strengthen America’s sanctions on Iran and weaken the state’s ability to fund terrorist groups," Moskowitz tweeted.

In April, Moskowitz was one of 124 members of Congress who signed a bipartisan letter to the European Union demanding the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) be designated as a terrorist organization. The letter included many members of Florida's Congressional delegation from both sides of the aisle.

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.