OK, it is the annual AIPAC policy conference. Obama is launching a major integrated Middle East Policy, which includes invitation to Iran for constructive dialogue and sending signals that it is possible that the US could, under certain conditions, remove our objections to a peaceful Iranian nuclear program, if there are assurances under existing Non Proliferation oversight, that weaponization will not occur. Iran is holding elections in June, with a chance they will elect a non-crazy person. The Iranian people want to believe that the US will deal with them with respect. Israel wants harsher sanctions, a suspension of uranium enrichment for any purpose, and AIPAC needs to show some legislative successes. What does the Dems in Congress do?
The congress is taking up the most extremely urgent legislation to give the president a power he already has. While other legislative actions get in the queue.
Why they support legislation that:
- Is needlessly inflammatory.
- Gives the president a power he already has
and
- Is not likely to be enforceable, useful, and is in opposition to our other allies
and,
- Gives the hard right in Iran talking points to reinforce they are under siege from an external threat.
A handful of Democratic senators are joining Republicans to push the White House to take a harder stand against Iran.
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) led the charge Tuesday by introducing a bill that would place economic sanctions on foreign oil firms that do business with Iran, including barring the firms from selling oil to the United States.
Bayh conceded that Iranian leaders would likely use the move to rally its people against America but said something needed to be done about Iran’s move to develop nuclear weapons.
“Bottom line: [The sanctions] allow us to put our finger right on the pressure point where Iran is the weakest,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Politico
I guess that this legislation doesn't require the president to apply this kind of sanction, but gives him the authority to do so, an authority which he already has.
The measure would apply to several major firms and their subsidiaries -- among them oil giants Shell, BP, Reliance and Vitol. The bill would also target shipping firms that deliver refined fuel to Iran and even insurers for the ships.
"We need to give them a choice: you can do business with Iran's $250 billion economy or our $13 trillion economy, but not both," said Sen. Jon Kyl, a Republican who is a lead sponsor of the bill along with Sens. Evan Bayh, a Democrat, and Joe Lieberman, an independent. There are 25 co-sponsors.
Fox news
So, is this helpful? Dennis Ross is heading to the region this week. Is this pandering to a special interest group, or helping the president?