Congressmen Jared Moskowitz’s (D-FL) and Mike Lawler’s (R-NY) bipartisan bill, the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, has passed in the House of Representatives. This legislation would impose sanctions on countries that purchase Iranian oil, as well as their foreign ports and refineries that process petroleum exported from Iran.
The bill passed in the House by a vote of 342-69.
Reps. Moskowitz and Lawler released a joint statement, saying “It's critical that we hold America’s foreign adversaries accountable.”
“The SHIP Act is a critical step in preventing Iran from continuing to fund terror across the Middle East. We are proud to see this legislation receive widespread, bipartisan support here on Capitol Hill. It’s critical that we work to hold America’s foreign adversaries accountable for their actions in supporting terrorist organizations across the globe,” said the lawmakers.
Moskowitz and Lawler continued, “The SHIP Act sends a clear and strong message to bad actors like China, Russia, and others – do not help Iran avoid sanctions and assist them in their funding of terror, or face the consequences. That’s a message the Senate should be able to get behind. We look forward to its passage through the Senate.”
Although it was introduced in May, the bill “came to the forefront” after the terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, committed by Hamas. The legislation looks to punish nations such as China and Iran that support each other against the U.S. and its interests.
Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) co-sponsored the bill and endorsed its passage in the House. Both senators called for its immediate approval in the upper chamber upon when possible.
Sen. Scott said the SHIP Act is “a no-brainer.”
“We must hold genocidal regimes, like Iran and Communist China, accountable and put a stop to their funding of terror across the globe. The SHIP Act is a no-brainer. The U.S. can't depend on the Biden-era strategy that takes these murderous regimes’ word at face value any longer. I applaud the House for the passage of this important legislation and urge my colleagues to pass it immediately upon arrival,” said Sen. Scott.
Sen. Rubio declared that foreign adversaries must “know they will face consequences.”
“Our nation’s foreign adversaries must know they will face consequences for empowering other regimes that are anti-democratic and anti-American. We must enact and then rigorously enforce this bill so that those who are enriching themselves through the sale of sanctioned oil, or linked with its illicit trade, are held accountable,” said Sen. Scott.
The Senate version of the bill is also bipartisan. It has over 25 co-sponsors.
