Bills on Iran - Iran Sanction Enabling Act of 2007, Afghanistan Free Trade Agreement Act - Coursework Example

Bills Name Course Lecturer Date Bills on Iran H.R.4918 Restrict US Assistance The bill was introduced in the House to restrict US from assisting the Republic of Iraq. The bill was introduced on 24th Ma y 1990 by Rep Dan Burton and had one sponsor1. The bill was referred to the House sub-committee on International Development, Finance, Trade and Monetary Policy. It aimed at prohibiting the US government from assistance Iraq until the country has opened all suspected chemical, biological and nuclear sites of production, respect human right and ratify Convection that prohibited production and development of toxins and biological weapons. Unless the notifications were made by the president; the Secretary of treasury would direct the executive directors at IMF, IBRD and IDA to oppose assisting the country, direct the Secretary of Transport to withdraw right of the country’s air carrier to engage with US air transport. The bill did not undergo any amendment2. H.R. 2347 Iran Sanction Enabling Act of 2007 The bill was sponsored by Rep Frank Barney and had 44 cosponsors and was referred to the Senate Committee and read twice before referred to the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee3. The bills aimed at directing the president in ensuring that a biannual publication is made on every individual who has invested over $20 million in Iran’s energy sector, supplies Iran’s government with arms and financial institution that extend over $20 million credit to the Iran’s government. In carrying out the above, the president was instructed to use public information in compiling the list and be published on the US government website4. Primarily the bill aimed at authorizing diversion of assets from Iran and several amendments were made on some Acts. Comparisons Both bills were addressing the same country and were sponsored by members of the House of Representatives. However, the two bills have some differences including the number of cosponsors; that is, the H.R.4918 had 1 cosponsor while H.R. 2347 cosponsors. While the former bill was referred to the House subcommittee of on International Development, Finance, Trade and Monetary Policy, the latter was submitted to the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. However, it is important to note that in some referral in the later stages, the bills were referred to a similar committee. H.R. 2347 bill was related to S. 1430 while the other bill was related to none. In addition, the former bill was read twice in the Senate and had 110-277 house reports while the later one has no records on the number of times read in the Senate. Most importantly, the bills had different aims; that is, while the H.R. 2347 bill addressed publication of any individual or financial institution connected with energy sector and provision of arms in Iran, H.R.4918 bill aimed at mitigation of financial assistance as a result of the country’s interest in nuclear weapons. Trade S.3151Afghanistan Free Trade Agreement Act The bill was sponsored by Sen. Gramm Phil and had no cosponsor. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. The bill required the President to carrying out trade negotiations with Afghanistan so as to eliminate trade barriers5. H.R.361 Export Administration Act of 1996 The bill was introduced on 4th of January and sponsored by Rep. Roth Toby and had no cosponsors. This bill primarily targeted policies that are related to export policy. Essentially, it declared control of export to be imposed so as to mitigate the propagation weapons used in mass destruction and minimize exportation of agriculture goods. Therefore, with the effect to the above, specified policies were directed to the Secretary of Commerce and the President6. In addition to this, the bill included a section of nuclear propagation prevention that authorizes the Secretary of State to get support from other countries in imposing sanctions under this act. In addition, it amends Arms Export Control Act that direct the US government to prevent importation of particular goods from countries that heavily engaged in exporting nuclear technology and weapons7. H.R.24 Foreign Aid Reporting Reform Act of 1995 The bill was introduced on 4th January 1995 and was sponsored by Rep. Condit Gary but had no cosponsor. It was referred to the House subcommittee on Rules and Organization8. The bills aimed at directing the President to provide a report to the Congress detailing a justifiable assistance programs proposed for the coming financial year and an evaluation of the set objectives in order to terminate the assistance. In addition, it directs congressional committees providing information on legislation authorizing ratification of budget for foreign aid programs to add amount of new budget or centrally funds authorized for a particular program and both compared to that proposed by the President9. Comparisons The three bills were concerned were all related to financial matters. All the bills had no cosponsors but two of them were sponsored by members of the House of Representative (S.3151 and H.R.361) while one was sponsored by a senator (H.R.24). The bills also addressed different financial issues; one was on negotiations with Afghanistan (S.3151), imposing trade barriers on countries associated with mass destruction weapons (H.R.361), and assistance programs in relation to the budget (H.R.24). The bills were handled by different House Committee including committee on Finance (S.3151), Committee on Roles and Organization (H.R.24) and one was received by the Senate (H.R.361). The latter had two parts of reports including two titles namely; export administration and nuclear propagation proliferation. It was passed and had no other related bill and amendments. On the other hand, S.3151 also had no related bill ad amendments and was read twice in the House and this was the same with H.R.24 bill but it was led once in the House. Defense H.R.11 NSA Oversight Act The bill was introduced to the house on 4th January 2007and was sponsored by Rep. Schiff Adam and had 29 cosponsors. It was referred to House subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Under this Act, provisions of federal criminal code regarding electronic and wire communications and the FISA Act of 1978 are elite ways through which electronic surveillance is conducted until a particular Act to that effect is enacted. In addition, it requires the President to report on the Terrorist Surveillance Program of the NSA and any other program involving electronic surveillance in the US. In addition, it directs an additional judge for FISA court 10 H.R. 2881 National Defense Emergency Authorization Act for the 2002 financial year The act was introduced on 12th September 2001and was sponsored by Rep. Curt Weldon and had 3 cosponsors. This Act approves appropriation for the 2002 financial year to Secretary of Defense for DOD regarding infrastructure restoration and sustainment, and attainment of repair and spare parts. This should be treated as additional authorization for 2002 FY11. H.R. 2126 Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 1996 This act was introduced on 27 July 1995 and was sponsored by Bill Yong but it did not have any cosponsors. It is important to note that it was not signed by the President. The bill primarily addressed issue in the military personnel, maintenance and operation, procurement, test, evaluation and research and development, management and revolving funds and various departments of defense programs in relation to funding12. H.R.101 Defense Economic Adjustment Act The bill was introduced on 3rd January 1989 and was sponsored by Rep. Ted Weiss and had 74 cosponsors. Under this Act there were several titles including Defense Economic Adjustment Council, Adjustment Planning for Community Economic, Alternative Committees, and Economic Adjustment Aid for Workers, Usage of Particular Research Fund and Adjustment of Economic Fund13. H.R.1316 International Financial Security Act, 1989 The bill was introduced on 8th March 1989 and was sponsored by Rep. Toby Roth but had no cosponsors. The bill aimed at controlling export both goods and technology to countries that increased national insecurity in the US or increased the chances of terrorism activities. As such, the President is expected to restrict the transfer of technology and goods in respective to the above. In addition carry out negotiations with other countries in order to obtain their support14. Comparison These bills were related to financial issue and defense system in the country. All the bills were sponsored by members of the House of Representative and had cosponsors apart from H.R 2126 and H.R. 1316. In addition, they had no related bills and amendments apart from H.R. 2126 which had few related bills. The bills were referred to different committees and had different aims and protocols. Some of them had several titles including H.R.2126. It is also important to note that all of them apart from H.R.2126 were signed by the President. Despite its many referrals, this bill was not signed and was sent to Archivist without the signature. References Bill Summary& Status-110th Congress, 2007-2008 Read More