National Security Legislative Calendar

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March 1, 2010 update

[New information bolded and italicized]

Congressional committees have begun holding hearings on the many bills that they will consider later in the year. Earliest action is most likely on Iran sanctions legislation (see below), the Budget Resolution, and a Supplemental Appropriations Bill, largely to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

KEY FISCAL YEAR 2011 NATIONAL SECURITY BILLS TO BE COVERED

FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET RESOLUTION

SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL LARGELY TO PAY FOR THE IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WARS

FISCAL YEAR 2011 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

FISCAL YEAR 2011 DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL

FISCAL YEAR 2011 ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL

FISCAL YEAR 2011 FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

NEW START NUCLEAR REDUCTIONS TREATY

IRAN SANCTIONS LEGISLATION

On March 5, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009 (H.R. 1327). On May 18, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) introduced the Senate version of the bill (S. 1065). The legislation would authorize State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran's energy sector, and for other purposes. The House bill has 247 cosponsors while the Senate version has 32.

On April 28, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) introduced the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009 (S. 908). On April 30, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) introduced the House version of the bill (H.R. 2194). The legislation seeks to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran’s gas and petroleum sector. The Senate bill has 75 cosponsors while the House version currently has 317 cosponsors.

On September 29, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced that he plans to introduce legislation to impose tough, targeted sanctions. The bill integrates the provisions in S. 908 targeting Iran’s gas and petroleum sector while also incorporating a broad ban on direct imports from Iran to the US . The Banking Committee will hold a hearing on Iran on October 6th, and Sen. Dodd hopes to have the legislation drafted a week later.

On October 14, the House adopted HR 1237, a bill introduced by House Banking Chairman Barney Frank and 253 co-sponsors to authorize state and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran's energy sector. The vote was 414 - 6.

On October 28, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved by voice vote H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009. The bill was slightly modified from its original introduction. The bill had 330 co-sponsors. It imposes sanctions against companies that supply Iran with gasoline or other refined petroleum products. The President would have some discretion on imposing the sanctions. On October 29, the Senate Banking Committee unanimously approved the Dodd - Shelby bill that would impose sanctions on companies that help Iran acquire refined petroleum products.

On December 15, the House approved the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009: H.R. 2194, by a vote 412 - 12, with four Members voting present. The Senate put off action until 2010.

On January 28, in surprise timing, the Senate suddenly passed by voice vote S. 2799 - the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2009, which includes the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act. It was passed after all of five minutes of debate. The bill now goes to conference with the House.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMPLETED IN CALENDAR 2010

None thus far