House passes Iran resolution

Posted: Friday, June 19, 2009 12:52 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Mike Viqueira

From NBC's Mike Viqueira and Mark Murray
By a 405-1 vote, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the violence in Iran and expressing support for the dissidents there.

The measure has no teeth, but these types of things tend to gain attention overseas.

Video: Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., discusses whether Democrats will continue to support President Barack Obama’s cautious stance on Iran

The sole nay vote: Ron Paul (R-TX). Two voted present: Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Dave Loebsack (I-IA).

Here's the resolution:
Expressing support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law, and for other purposes.
Resolved, That the House of Representatives-
(1) expresses its support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law;
(2) condemns the ongoing violence against demonstrators by the Government of Iran and pro-government militias, as well as the ongoing government suppression of independent electronic communication through interference with the Internet and cellphones; and
(3) affirms the universality of individual rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

By golly that'll show the Supreme Leader!

A resolution. Well at least it's not off to another war again.

SAM, USA (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 12:58 PM)

what is so provocative about this amendment?

It is what Obama should have said, but didn't.

no joe,no bo, nj (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 12:59 PM)

Pat Boston MA: “As for a up here in beantown - the sun ain’t gonna shine anymore.”

One thing that separates Democrats from Republicans is that we do care about each other. During the campaign there was a time or two when I felt lower that whale shit at the bottom of the sea: The Reverend Wright period, and shortly after Sarah Palin was selected. It took a while for Barack to get his voice back, but he did. He responded to each obstacle with just the right amount of energy and wisdom. I too am disappointed about the Iran outcome, the healthcare resistance, not pursuing the torture issues, etc.

I recall President Obama saying “Everyday I will think of you and work for you.” Although frustrated and angry at the conservatives, I believe the sun will shine again in Boston. And the BoSox will beat the Yankees

Ron Indiana (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 12:59 PM)

Well gee, at least someone stood up to say something. Silent Sam Obama is too busy mocking people that disagree with him to come up with any words of encouragement.

TJ Langley (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:00 PM)

Barack Obama - Can You Hear Me Now?

The People of the United States (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:01 PM)

FR prints the resolution:

Here's the resolution:
Expressing support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law, and for other purposes.
Resolved, That the House of Representatives-
(1) expresses its support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law;
(2) condemns the ongoing violence against demonstrators by the Government of Iran and pro-government militias, as well as the ongoing government suppression of independent electronic communication through interference with the Internet and cellphones; and
(3) affirms the universality of individual rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections.

=================

If these items were put in a bill and sent to Obama, I think he'd veto it.

Vito Bills, NY (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:03 PM)

I never cease to be impressed by the courage of Ron Paul.

Eric, South Bend, IN (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:04 PM)

Yep, just like a republican, all show and empty talk with no substance whatsoever!!!!!!!!!

President Obama represents my views (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:04 PM)

First Read: Two voted present: Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Dave Loebsack (I-IA).

And for doing so, these two get a commemorative coffee mug from Barack Obama where the inscription reads: "You're Just Like Me".

Thomas Nomeddle, Oklahoma (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:06 PM)

It really ain't any of our business how Iran handles the situation, Ron Paul voted correctly, we have plenty of our own problems for Congress to work on.

mk (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:07 PM)

[[ Two voted present: Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Dave Loebsack (I-IA). ]]

These two gentlemen must be thinking about running for president.

I Vote Maybe (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:08 PM)

Ron Indiana - One thing that separates Democrats from Republicans is that we do care about each other . . .

You do, but with other peoples money.

Tom Illinois (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:09 PM)

Who authored and introduced this bill? They need to be given a medal, or maybe a few extra earmarks.

PI Giggs (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:11 PM)

Dear Ron - your post has me here quietly chuckling. Thanks. I love Fridays when we can all lighten up a bit. As far as the NYY, as of today, it looks like once again we will be facing each other in October. AL isn't that strong/competitive this year. What with steroids banned and all - lol

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:12 PM)

SWEET! Thanks for fanning the flames you idiots!

Mark,Seattle (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:12 PM)

This resolution is meaningless and will now give the hardliners in Iran something to whine about about us interfering in their election. Just another belligerent do nothing resolution from the dopes of nope that will do nothing to strengthen our ties to Iran's protesters. President Obama has set the correct tone for dealing with Iran's election problem and Congress needs to follow his lead since he is the Commander in Chief We the People voted into the White House last Novemeber.

Something else that's meaningless is protecting Hawaii against Little Kim's upcoming long range missile test. Let's face it their incompetent rocket program isn't going to go as far as expected since none of their long range rockets has ever worked properly. The missile defense should be around Japan as the rocket's early flight path is over that island and history shows us that Little Kim's long range rockets always malfunction early in flight. Now if some of the rocket debris were to fall on Japan that could really make Little Kim a pariah with China and Russia.

In Obama We Trust!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:13 PM)

Now if we could just get the same kind of vote on building a wall on southern boarder to keep the illegals out. Might even get Dr. Paul to vote for that one.

Mario Lopez, California (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:14 PM)

President Obama is doing and saing the right thing. If McCain were President, we would be at war with Iran now. That country has to handle it's own business. Did they do anything with the Bush-Gore election!!!??!!!.
The Republicans would have us at war with Iran at this very moment by getting involved too early in another country's business.

Vmac, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:15 PM)

I can understand the desire to project support but in this situation Ron Paul is right and am glad that Loebsack, IA, realized that we need to remain neutral in this matter. Bi-partisan stupidity seems to have overtaken the place today. Well, this is what it means when the constitution established separation of power. Pres Obama, keep doing what you are doing--the foreign policy experts are on your side.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:17 PM)

absolutely pointless . . . the exercise demonstrates the worst of democratic government

at least they have all of the other problems with the economy, the wars, healthcare the deficit, etc. resolved :-)

Independent in TN (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:18 PM)

what is so provocative about this amendment?

It is what Obama should have said, but didn't.
no joe,no bo, nj (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 12:59 PM)

-------------------------------------------

...and had President Obama made a similar declaration you'd still say he wasn't doing enough.

Why don't you understand that the President's lack of a major public statement on the outcome of the "election" in Iran is the right thing?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:19 PM)

What's stopping all of these people that want to show support from getting on a plane and going to Iran and march with the protesters? Put you ass on the line and show what you are made of.

No takers huh!

Blog tough guys (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:19 PM)

[what is so provocative about this amendment?
It is what Obama should have said, but didn't.
no joe,no bo, nj]
--Right sentiment, I agree with no joe, no bo. Pres. Obama could have condemned the fraud and the violence, but instead was merely concerned. Some of his foreign counterparts have gone farther, rightfully and without harming the cause. Of all people, Barack Obama should know that words are not just words (even if people are complaining on this blog because Congress isn't sending forces--can they do that?)

[By a 405-1 vote ...]
--It's been awhile since grade school, but aren't there like 25-30 names still missing from your list of people not voting?

**Off topic on Senator Boxer (D-CA). She is fine to want to be called Senator. But I did think it was rude how she went about asking for the title. I don't think the general was trying to belittle her, sir or ma'am are pretty common place in the military, yes?

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:19 PM)

Did it ever occur to any of you Chickenhawks that a statement denouncing the "election" in Iran by President Obama is exactly what Khamenei and Ahmadinejad need to rally the hardline, anti-American supporters in Iran?

Mousavi and his cause are better served by the President's silence.

Stay The Course (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:22 PM)

what is so provocative about this amendment?

It is what Obama should have said, but didn't.

no joe,no bo, nj (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 12:59 PM)

That's funny, because in reading the recap of the administration's public comments in today's USA TODAY, I felt that he did say that...he just added that the US will not meddle in the affairs of Iran.

USA Today reader (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:23 PM)

From NBC's Mike Viqueira and Mark Murray
By a 405-1 vote, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the violence in Iran and expressing support for the dissidents there.

The measure has no teeth, but these types of things tend to gain attention overseas.

This is not cute to me. We have enough for their asses to contend with rather than their involvement in this issue. If s888 jumps off because they chose to be such valliant spokesmen and women. They had better keep their damn traps shut.

This wasn't necessary. They should be voting on closing GITMO and passing HCR.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:24 PM)

So - my question is If President Obama talks tough about Iran's election and the events afterwards.

What type of talk should it be? Ultimatums? - Sanctions? What?

Then we talk big and nothing changes - then what? We invade?

President Obama can't win - cause if he talk big and threatens (basically what the GOP wants) and Iran does it's own thing.

Then President Obama's critics would want him to do something else - these critic only want President Obama to put himself in a trap - so they can hammer him to the wall if he messes up.

The GOP are scandalous - they would put America at risk by any means - in an effort to ruin the credibility of this President.

People, anything the GOP says about President Obama - is not in good faith; they are going to try and demolish him, just like they tried Bill Clinton.

Except; they won't care about the effects it may have on our standings around the world.

They just hate President Obama - for his policies that will affect their lobbyists and their money and their contributions.

Also, they hate him because he beat a Republican - but mainly the majorities of them hate him, because of the color of his skin and does not want a black President to success.

It’s contrary to the entire midst and stereotypes regarding minorities (many blacks).

Some people; just want it to seem they are superior, simply because of their skin color - President Obama defies all of that, he will go down in history as the finest President of all times – and he’s black.

That’s what bigots, don’t want to happen.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:24 PM)

what is so provocative about this amendment?

It is what Obama should have said, but didn't.
no joe,no bo, nj (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 12:59 PM)

Mr super patriot. Why don't you go sign up at your nearest Marine Corps recruiting station? Or at the very least volunteer your services at the State department. I would surmise that like Limpdick, Cheney, or Shrub, you never served a day of active duty which means you are a qualified foreign policy expert. I'll see your Limpballs and raise you one Petraus and Powell. What a maroon!!!!

TorpedoYou (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:30 PM)

Why are Republicans so outraged by Iran and so buddy buddy with Saudi Arabia?

And that's just one of many examples of hypocrisy that could be thrown out there.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:32 PM)

More party politics. I can't believe the Dems bought into it.

The hardliners in Iran WANT something like this this to show that America is meddling in their election. The Neo-cons WANT a hardliner in power in Iran to show their base that Iran is a scary enemy and that the world outside their backyard is a scary place. This also furthers the case for giving contracts to the military-industry complex.

On the other side, if a crack down ensues, the repubs get to blame the president for 'not acting'. Win-Win for party.

Nice job congress, you got played.

DS7 (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:34 PM)

Motion to go to the bathroom 405-1

Get back to work washington!! (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:40 PM)

Cool...all the justification needed (see! the demonstrators are being manipulated by the US) to brutally and violently quash this free speech, democracy thing! Feel better folks? Care to go to war to back up your hollow and ill considered words? Your critique's of Obama are based upon pure ignorance. More cowboy rhetoric.

griff, seattle (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:40 PM)

this is just underhanded foreign intervention...Obama said we don't meddle in the same interview he said they have an active nuclear weapons program and they are a threat...did anyone else catch that? We actually have little evidence that they have an active nuclear weapons program outside of GOP hyperbole. But of course it has been the position of this admin and the last. Not to mention we seem like idiots when our political leaders claim tha if Iran has Nukes then it will create an arms race in region. What do they think Israel having nukes has done? On top of that Israel refuses to sign any non-proliferation agreements. Wouldn't you be worried about say venezuala if they had nukes and showed no intenttion of being regionally responsible with them? Wouldn't you want to be able to defend yourself?

I had been impressed with his stance on the surface but the more I look into it the more this just seems to be more of the same. So we have a president with the same attitude toward foreign policy as the last guy. He sounds nicer when he talks about it so we notice it anymore.

Jonathan, Flint, MI (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:41 PM)

It is simply amazing to have the republicans in outrage over the Iranian vote/non-vote when they were in favor of the United States Supreme Court agreeing not to count the vote in Florida for our Presidential race in 2000. Have they forgotten? Where is the republican creditability?

Moses Bell Ridgeway, SC (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:45 PM)

Since the Republicans are encouraging the protesters to overthrow the government of Iran, will they want Obama to send in the military when there's bloodshed in the streets?

Havent we seen this policy in action before - say at the end of the first gulf war?; when george bush encouraged the uprising to overthrow sadam hussein only to turn his back when they were being slaughtered in the streets because the U.S. allowed them to operate their helicopters and keep their heavy weapons?!

i find it incredible that our leaders dont know anything about/study history! recent history at that!
something that happened during most our lifetimes!

if u dont know ur history....u are doomed to repeat it..

new york, NY (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:47 PM)

Wow. How INCREDIBLY STUPID!!! I can't believe that Ron Paul was the only intelligent member of Congress today who wasn't bullied by the grandstanding Republicans into handing Khamenei a perfect weapon to justify mass murder in the coming days. Way to go, Congress! You just helped a Dictator. And you Democrats who voted for this and threw your own President under the bus, SHAME ON YOU!!! What a bunch of cowards!!!

This is excellent evidence of why Congress should not have any say in foreign affairs other than war declarations. Unbelievably STUPID!!! Thanks, Congress! You're killing Iranians with this and you may just have killed their fledgling Revolution just so you could score political points. Shame, shame, shame!!!

Susan L., Redmond, WA (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:50 PM)

What was the Congress thinking? There's no upside in saying anything about it, as it will only come back to bite them later no matter the outcome. I guess common sense isn't all that common in Congress!

Don Bindas, Wexford, Pa (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 1:54 PM)

TJ Langley: "Well gee, at least someone stood up to say something. Silent Sam Obama is too busy mocking people that disagree with him to come up with any words of encouragement."

-----------------------------

You're either ignorant or lying. The president has made several statements critical of the Iranian regime and skepticism about their election. Asking Twitter to hold off on its maintenance was actually something constructive that his administration has done.

Resolutions condemning the Iranian government from Congress will have absolutely no effect on the Iranian government. At worst, it will just give the Iranian government more reason to crack down on the protesters as American-backed agitators.

Houston (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 2:01 PM)

Where is the free press in America? Let's don't go down that road of failure as in the Iraq war. will anyone ask the questions to the republican leadership, why as a princple you were in favor of not counting the votes in Florida in 2000 and you now in favor of counting votes in Iran, another country.

Moses Bell Ridgeway, SC 29130 (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 2:14 PM)

Republicsn policy toward Iran failed miserably during the Bush years.

MrUniteUs (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 2:15 PM)

Jonathan, Flint, MI - No nobody heard that but those at Faux News! He said they have a right to nuclear energy! The underhanded intervention, this Resolution was not done by the President. Geesh!

Try the truth (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 2:21 PM)

You kind of have to Admire Ron Paul. At least he sticks to his values. I may not agree with him, but it is refreshing to see someone not bend or sway for political reasons.

TEC-spring-TX (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 2:35 PM)

Motion to go to the bathroom 405-1

I'll meet you in the Men's room.

Larry Craig, Idaho (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 2:41 PM)

For the love of intelligence please keep the US Gov't out of Iran's business. Our gov't issuing opinions doesn't do the Iranian people any good. Our perceived involvement will undermine everything that the people are fighting for over there. We are not liked and our gov't opinion holds no water or value other than to destroy the legitimacy of the anger and sense of fairness in the search for freedoms that the Iranians are seeking.
Please let these people fight their fight, in their own way, through their own determination.

Light a candle that Liberty prevails, say a prayer that the Iranians that they may gain Liberty through peaceful protest, wear green, keep hope alive so they may see that we are watching with them...these are the things individuals can do to support the cause.

H, Dallas, TX (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 2:43 PM)

President Obama is absolutely correct. This resolution, if you really wnt to call it that, may cause a great deal of harm in any on going negotiations we have with Iran. It amazes me that we really so many people in Congress that feel they are smarter than the President. He is the CIC, not them. It is not thier position to say anything or act in any capacity that affects foreing policy.

Eugenia Murley Encinitas, Ca (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 3:09 PM)

My God...people!! Even "The Foreign Policy Great One" Henry Kissinger... said Obama is handling this the right way. Think 2010 Elections and you know why the House passed this Resolution.

Barbara - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 3:09 PM)

Rarely it is, indeed, that I agree with Ron Paul but in this instance it is important for us to be calm and not interfere with what is happening inside another country regarding elections. If asked we should, of course, help but we haven't been asked. Other countries are doing as Obama and staying out of it for now. Once a decision is made and things settle down we can deal with whoever the winner of the election is. We may not like the outcome but it is not something for us to decide. We have interfered with the affairs of Iran before and that is one of the main reasons the present government is in power there. We have meddled worse than the neighborhood busy body on a good day and it is time to stop it.

I believe the Congress has just made our diplomatic efforts in the region much tougher as we have already been accused of meddling and now we want to do it for real. What a shame.

eagle1776 (Sent Friday, June 19, 2009 3:14 PM)

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