Ros-Lehtinen Presses Clinton for Action on Iran

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the following comments onIran this morning at a hearing with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“The recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report raised concerns ‘about the possible existence in Iran of …undisclosed activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile.’

“Then, today’s news reports have some Russian officials refuting claims Iran could be pursuing nuclear weapons, while emphasizing Russia’s commitment to delivering advanced air defense missiles to Iran.

“Some European officials are also quoted suggesting sanctions should come much later. And investments in Iran continue.

“Madam Secretary, successive U.S. Administrations, under the guise of seeking multilateral consensus, have taken no action under the Iran Sanctions Act. And the Iranian threat keeps growing.

“When are companies like Royal Dutch Shell, France’s TOTAL, Russia’s Gazprom, and Spain’s Repsol going to be held accountable?

“When will we take action to address the almost $3 billion in investments by China’s Sinopec?

“When will we leverage the Iran Sanctions Act for concrete cooperation from our allies in cutting off the Iranian regime?

“Also, I have a letter for you concerning serious failures by the Department in providing timely information and reports under the Iran, North Korea, SyriaNonproliferation Act.  I would ask for you assistance in addressing this matter.  The Department must comply with its obligations under the law to keep Congress informed on the proliferation activities of these rogue regimes.”

Bruce Carroll over at GayPatriot has the video of GOProud’s Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia speaking on a panel at the 2010 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).  Click here to watch. Thanks Bruce!

Those of you attending CPAC this week will want to make sure you catch this interesting panel on Saturday at 11 am-

Using Technology to Mobilize Conservatives
Maryland Ballroom

Tom Keeley, FreedomWorks
Adam DiAngeli, Campaign for Liberty
Jimmy LaSalvia, GOProud

Moderator: Sandy Greiner, American Future Fund

EMCEE
Kate Obenshain, Young America’s Foundation

House Foreign Affair Committee Ranking Republican, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), sent the following news release -

For IMMEDIATE Release

Ros-Lehtinen Co-Authors Resolution Condemning Deplorable Anti-Gay Bill in Uganda

(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, co-authored a resolution opposing draconian anti-gay legislation proposed in the Ugandan legislature.  The bipartisan resolution was introduced today.  Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

• “The anti-gay bill introduced in the Ugandan parliament does not deserve to see the light of day in any legislature, in any nation.

  “Uganda has made great strides in stemming the tide of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and serves as a model for prevention activities worldwide. If passed, this legislation could reverse those gains by blocking access to information and services to at-risk populations.

  “All human beings have the right to life and liberty, irrespective of sexual orientation.

  “We cannot and will not stand for this terrible injustice.”

Note: Ros-Lehtinen co-authored the resolution with Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA).  The bill “expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009’ under consideration by the Parliament of Uganda, that would impose long term imprisonment and the death penalty for certain acts, threatens the protection of fundamental human rights.”

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Thank you Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen for your continued leadership on this issue!

Newly elected Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) will be officially sworn in tomorrow, Thursday, February 4th.  Politico has the story here.