Wilson, Moskowitz Introduce Legislation to Sanction Hostage-Takers
Washington, D.C. – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), House Foreign Affairs Chairman of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia Subcommittee, and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the bipartisan ‘No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act.’
This legislation deters the Government of Iran, other hostile governments, and individuals from hostage-taking or wrongfully detaining United States nationals by imposing sanction and other strict penalties. Among the actions listed in the bill is the requirement of the President to deny visas for anyone seeking admission to the United States as a representative to the United Nations who is sanctioned under terrorism or weapons of mass destruction proliferation Executive Orders. The legislation also requires the Administration to review all cases of hostage-taking regarding Iran and determine if foreign persons responsible for hostage-taking meet the criteria for sanctions under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act.
"The Iranian Regime continues to be the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism. This bill takes action, ensuring terrorists who take American citizens hostage are punished for their crimes, and not rewarded with financial incentives. It ensures that the oppressors of freedom in Iran do not get to visit the United States to enjoy the liberties here that they deprive their citizens of at home in Iran. Mass murderer and terrorist Ebrahim Raisi hates the United States, pledges death to America, yet applies and is granted to travel to New York annually for the United Nations, this hypocrisy is unacceptable," said Rep. Wilson.
"Robert Levinson was a constituent of mine. He missed birthdays, anniversaries, and even funerals because of the Iranian regime's continued crimes against the American people. When Iran wrongfully detains one ofour own, they must know that the U.S. will not sit back, we will take action and respond,” said Rep. Moskowitz.
Text of the legislation can be viewed here.