Benjamin Gilman: “we have before us H.R. 1883, the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000. This measure was introduced by the gentleman from…”

“we have before us H.R. 1883, the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000. This measure was introduced by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman), and myself on May 20 of last year. There are almost 230 cosponsors on this measure. When it came to a vote in the House last September, it was approved by a vote of 419 to 0. This vote was even more remarkable when one considers that the administration sent us a letter just before the House voted stating that the President's senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill. Obviously, the administration's plea that we not approve the bill, that we instead allow more time for diplomacy, was rejected unanimously by the House. Just last week, the measure came up in the Senate, and the Senate brushed aside the administration's objection and approved the bill by a significant vote of 98 to 0. The unanimity of both chambers of Congress and the strong bipartisan support for this measure should send a powerful signal to would-be proliferators to Iran. Our Nation will not accept the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missiles to Iran. Mr. Speaker, this situation is true today, and it will remain true even if the encouraging political developments we are beginning to observe in Iran lead eventually to major improvements in Iranian foreign policy.”