Congressional Press briefing:
Supporting a Free, Secular, Democratic, Non-Nuclear Republic of Iran
At a Congressional press briefing on Wednesday February 8, 2023, bipartisan members of the House of Representative introduced H. Res. 100. Led by Congressman Tom McClintock and Congressman Brad Sherman, House Resolution 100 is, “Expressing support for the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran, and condemning violation of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian Government.”
House Resolution 100 is introduced on the anniversary of 1979 revolution which was usurped by the religious fascist regime currently governing Iran. The next anniversary will be in a free, secular, democratic, and non-nuclear Republic of Iran, Congressman McClintock and some of his his colleagues expressed during the press briefing. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president elect of the National Council Resistance of Iran addressed the event via live a video link and expressed her gratitude of US Congress for the bi-partisan support of (to-date of 165) members co-sponsoring H.Res. 100. She added, “We mark the anniversary of the 1979 anti-dictatorial revolution, when a unified nation deposed the Shah to achieve freedom and democracy Now, after 40 years of repression and resistance, Iran as a nation, is ready once more to overthrow the ruling religious dictatorship.”
In his remarks, Congressman McClintock underlined that we in the US Congress may not agree on everything every time when it comes to supporting the Iranian people’s aspiration for democracy, we the Republicans and Democrats are united.
A number of the resolution’s cosponsors addressed the briefing and spoke about the importance of this resolution and that their support continues until Iran is free.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) in her speech announced her tireless support of Iranian people in their struggle for freedom and said “I am excited about introducing H Res 100, it is a resolution that continues to speak the language of freedom and it continues to stump on the injustices of the regime that include arbitrary arrest, torture, unjust executions and loss of your family members. Also keeps those of us that love Persian history from being able to go to Iran, touch the soil, touch the people, and celebrate a democratic regime… I am here this morning to be able to celebrate, Madam President, and the messages of leadership. I am here to celebrate men and women, But I am also here to celebrate the leadership of women and what has happened in the streets of this very fine land, Iran… We want it to go all the way to the President to the Senate and we want everyone to hear what we stand for in this country. Let me thank all of my co-sponsors and of course the lead sponsor who has galvanized all of us together. We are in a fight until democracy reigns strong in the motherland, Iran.”
In his speech, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) said, “The world is in a competition between democracies rule of law and autocracies rule of gun. And what we have is the brave people, young people, and brave people, hopefully of every generation, even of age of Iran, to be working for rule of law instead of rule of gun.”
Congressman Randy Weber (R-TX) also remarked, “We want the world to recognize the right of the Iranian people of self-defense, just as we do in this country, just as we do in the United States, and just as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights… The Resistance Ten Point Plan for the Future of Iran calls for the universal right to vote free elections, a market economy. It advocates gender, religious and ethnic equality with a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence, and, as I’ve already said, a non-nuclear Iran.”
Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ) a co-sponsor of H.Res. 100 added, “For decades, the Iranian regime has violated the most basic of human rights. It has done so as a state sponsor of terrorism. And it has done so against its own people, especially women and girls, limiting their ability, limiting their freedom to dress how they like, to own property, to receive an education, or to earn a living. The regime’s tactics are brutal intimidation, coercion, sham trials, and state sanctioned violence that’s never been more apparent than in the last several months… each of us here and this Congress in a bipartisan way, is committed to making sure that we hold the Iranian regime to account for its gross human rights violations.”
Congressman Bill Johnson (R-OH) during his speech in this briefing said, “Women and mothers, wives and daughters are being tormented, beaten, raped and brutally killed for standing up for their most basic human rights. But in addition to the vile treatment of their own people, Iran has been aiding Russia in their bloody, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine… Our standard of human rights today, we stand with all Iranians fighting for their God-given rights, especially the brave women, taking a stand in the name of freedom. The Iranian regime should not be rewarded with a nuclear weapon or pallets of cash.”
Congressman Neal Dunn (R-FL) pointed in his remarks that “I’m very proud to be standing here next to you in support of a democratic and non-nuclear secular Iran. I’m proud of the tremendous courage, sacrifice and perseverance that the people of Iran have demonstrated during this protest and during the preceding ten years, as they protest against their corrupt government, this regime commits. Heinous acts against human rights, and there’s real risk to those who protest. But this regime is working to destabilize the entire Middle East… Make no mistake, nuclear Iran is a threat to the security of the entire Middle East, the United States and the world. Iran continues to deceive the international community. And I believe this administration and Congress need to continue the targeted sanctions against this government. And I’m proud to co-sponsor this resolution against condemning the Iranian state sponsored terrorist attacks.”
Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA), also an original cosponsor of H. Res. 100 remarked in his speech that, “we have all been inspired by the bravery courage and resolve of those who believe in a free Iran and who are taking action at such great cost to make it a reality in equal measure… We have been appalled by the brutality of a regime that has no regard for basic decency, no regard for its own people, no regard for the very foundation of our modern world freedom, democracy, and human rights. And it is so important that we stand together in a bipartisan way to support the people of Iran and to condemn the ongoing abuses of this regime. It’s equally important that we, the United States, do not do anything to enable and embolden this regime in its capacity to threaten its own people and to wreak havoc in the Middle East and across the world. So, I’m very proud to be here to stand with you today.”
Co-sponsors of this resolution highlighted their support for:
- The rights of Iranian people to self-defense, as recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Recognize that Iranian people are rejecting monarchic dictatorship and religious tyranny and that people are seeking a form of the governance that derives its legitimacy from the people and not from any unelected dictatorial single party.
- Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point plan which calls for the universal right to vote, free elections, a market economy, and advocates gender, religious, and ethnic equality, a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence, and a non-nuclear Iran.
Congressman McClintock concluded the briefing noting that “the struggle of Iranian people will continue until it is won. When we were fighting for liberation as a nation, one of our patriates Thomas Paine wrote “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldiers and sunshine patriots may, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and women.” I believe for generations to come the people of Iran will look back on all you and upon you Mrs. Rajavi with thanksgiving and Gratitude for delivering to them the free, secular, and non-nuclear Republic of Iran and that they have every right to demand and every reason to deserve.”
There were many members of Iranian American Communities among the audience at the Rayburn building. Additionally, the event was covered extensively by national and International media outlets. UK’s Independent News reported on the Congressional Press briefing, House Resolution 100 and wrote, “resolution in support of Iranian protesters, but this time did so in way that signaled a serious sharpening of the US Congress’ tone towards the government of Iran.” It further reported, “The call for such aggressive action is significant for one reason: The bipartisan nature of the event, where the legislation was released. According to a source familiar with its crafting, the new House resolution has more original cosponsors than previous Iran-related resolution to pass the lower chamber.”
Fox news also reported the unveiling of H. Res.100 and quoted Rep. Tom McClintock, writing that, “With this resolution, the elected representatives of the American people add their voices to the growing chorus for liberty and justice in Iran,” and same was echoed by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee that “we have no disagreement for the question and the answer: When should Iran be free? And the answer is now.” The Washington Examiner and other news outlets were among the other outlets which also covered this event.
Key Points of H. Res. 100
Wednesday, February 8, 2023; 9:30 am, RHOB-2237
This resolution recognizes the fact that the Iranian people “are rejecting monarchic dictatorship and religious tyranny, as evident in their protest slogans.”
- “Recognizes the rights of the Iranian people and their struggle to establish a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran.”
- “Protests are rooted in the more than four decades of organized resistance against the Iranian dictatorship,” which, for years, have been “led by women who have endured torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and death.”
- The resolution mentions “support for the opposition leader Maryam Rajavi’s 10-point plan for the future of Iran, which calls for the universal right to vote, free elections, and a market economy, and advocates gender, religious, and ethnic equality, a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence, and a nonnuclear Iran.”
- This resolution “stands with the people of Iran who are legitimately defending their rights for freedom against repression.”
- The resolution “calls on relevant United States Government agencies to work with European allies, including those in the Balkans where Iran has expanded its presence, to hold Iran accountable for breaching diplomatic privileges, and to call on nations to prevent the malign activities of the Iranian regime’s diplomatic missions, with the goal of closing them down and expelling its agents.”
- Urges the United States to “be involved in any establishment of an international investigation into the 1988 extrajudicial killings” of thousands of political prisoners in Iran.
Remarks by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
U.S. House of Representatives
February 8, 2023
Thank you very much Chairman Tom McClintock,
Thank you, Congressman Brad Sherman,
I want to thank all the members of congress who are here today. You represent the values of the American people.
You are standing on the right side of the history.
You are defending the rights of the Iranian people to determine their own future and to deny the Iranian regime the means and resources to suppress the population.
We are on the anniversary of the anti-dictatorial revolution in 1979, when a unified nation swept a dictator, the Shah, out of power to achieve freedom and democracy But Khomeini hijacked their revolution and established a religious dictatorship.
However, today, after more than 40 years of repression and resistance, the Iranian nation is ready again to overthrow another form of dictatorship. They want to put an end to one century of dictatorship and establish a democratic and pluralistic and secular republic.
What you see in Iran today is another revolution in the making.
This is the result of 40 years of organized resistance and fighting against the regime, with 120,000 political executions. The balance between the Iranian people and the regime will never return to before the uprising. Of course, the regime will resort to export of terrorism and warmongering until its last days.
I hope with your efforts at the U.S congress, the administration will adopt a firm and effective policy vis-a-vis this regime. I am confident that this revolution will succeed, because people of Iran are determined to end this regime and they are willing to pay the price.
It will succeed because the people are rejecting any form of dictatorships of the past and present. They only look to the future, which is a democratic republic based on separation of religion and state, gender equality and a non-nuclear Iran.
Once again, I want to commend you all for this very important bi-partisan congressional initiative in support of the people of Iran and the Iranian Resistance, which you announced today.
Thank you very much.
House members introduce bipartisan resolution supporting Iranian protesters
by Misty Severi, Breaking News Reporter
February 08, 2023 12:00 PM
More than 100 members of Congress co-sponsored a resolution on Wednesday that condemned the Iranian regime and supported protests in the country spurred by Mahsa Amini‘s death in September.
The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), was introduced to the House Foreign Affairs Committee with 165 co-sponsors and supported the protesters’ goal of a “democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran.”
The resolution also “condemned violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian Government,” according to an advance copy of the resolution obtained by the Washington Examiner.
The House of Representatives passed a resolution that praised the bravery and courage of Iranian protesters last month. The new resolution goes further to focus on policy and recognizes that protests against the regime have occurred for four decades. It also supports opposition leader Maryam Rajavi’s 10-point plan for the future of Iran, which calls for the universal right to vote, free elections, and a market economy, as well as gender, religious, and ethnic equality.
“This is what the representatives of the American people on this resolution have to say to the people of Iran and to the world: That the House of Representatives condemns past and present Iranian state-sponsored terrorist acts against United States citizens and officials, as well as Iranian dissidents,” McClintock said in a press conference Wednesday, before praising the protesters. “History stands with you [Iran]. Providence stands with you, and freedom-loving people throughout the world stand with you. This is your moment. This is your time. Godspeed to you.”
