The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill that would block the sale of commercial aircraft to Iran, a bid to stop sales by Boeing and Airbus that have already been approved by President Barack Obama's administration.
According to Reuters, the bill passed the Republican-led House by 243-174 largely along party lines. Eight Democrats joined Republicans in favor. All 174 “no” votes were from Democrats.
President Barack Obama and other western countries lifted sanctions on Iran in a trade for compliance with nuclear weapons restrictions. The lifting of the sanctions made it possible for western-based corporations to do business there, but they have not moved quickly to do that.
The Washington Examiner notes the corporations' reluctance could lead to Iran walking away from the deal, since it has not gained the benefits it expected.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said the bill would violate the deal's terms and accused the GOP of passing bills they know will be vetoed now while Obama is in office.
“Perhaps my colleagues on the other side of the aisle know that in two short months, they will no longer have the luxury of legislating without consequences,” Waters said, according to The Washington Examiner.
The measure would bar U.S. Treasury Department from issuing licenses that U.S. banks would need to finance sales of commercial aircraft, the latest in a series of efforts by congressional Republicans to counteract the international nuclear deal between Iran, the United States and other world powers.
The deals by Airbus and Boeing to sell or lease over 200 jets to IranAir would help modernize and expand the country's elderly fleet, held together by smuggled or improvised parts after years of sanctions.
Although Airbus is based in France, it must have the U.S. Treasury Department's approval for the sale because at least 10 percent of the aircraft's components are American-made, according to Reuters.
Reuters notes that the measure is unlikely to become law during the current Congress. It would need to pass the Senate, where it would face stiff opposition from Democrats.
And the White House said Obama would veto the measure even if it did pass the Senate. The administration believes the legislation would be a violation of the nuclear pact, in which Iran agreed to curtain its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
However, the climate for the nuclear pact could change once Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. Trump was harshly critical of the nuclear agreement during his campaign.
