[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 171 (Wednesday, October 18, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5067-S5068]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 ISRAEL

  Mr. HOEVEN. Madam President, the images that have been emerging from 
Israel in the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist assault are shocking in 
the extreme. Our hearts are with the Israeli people in the wake of 
these atrocities, and all of us here in America need to stand strongly, 
firmly, and united for our friend and ally, Israel.
  Here in Congress, there is strong bipartisan support to stand with 
Israel against Hamas. But what does that mean? What does that mean to 
stand with Israel? Of course, it means providing military aid. And, of 
course, it means providing diplomatic support.
  I am pleased to cosponsor a bipartisan legislation from the Foreign 
Relations Committee under the leadership of Chairman Cardin and Ranking 
Member Risch that expresses the Senate's support for Israel against 
terrorism.
  But today, standing with Israel also means standing against the 
largest state sponsor of terror in the world, and that is Iran.
  For too long, the United States has negotiated with Iran and made 
concessions. Such policies have not brought peace.
  Many of my colleagues and I have warned for years that giving money 
to Iran, letting Iran sell oil, and giving Iran access to weapons would 
destabilize the entire region. And, sure enough, over the last decade, 
we have watched Iran extract concessions in one negotiation after 
another while creating chaos in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and beyond. And 
now we see the hand of Iran behind Hamas and this horrific assault on 
Israel.
  So we must do all we can to support Israel, to help Israel--help 
Israel defend itself and ensure that it doesn't suffer another attack 
like this at the hands of Hamas. But also, to stand with Israel, we 
must undercut Iran's ability to work through its proxies like Hamas and 
Hezbollah that pose such a danger to the Israeli people and others as 
well. Concessions and waivers to the Iranian regime provide the 
resources for Iran to develop an infrastructure of terror across the 
Middle East, and the cash flow to Iran must be cut off.
  To start with, we must refreeze the $6 billion that the regime gained 
access to following negotiations over the release of U.S. citizens from 
Iran.
  I am part of the legislative efforts to do just that, including bills 
from Senator Cotton, Senator McConnell, as well as legislation authored 
by Senator Marshall and Senator Tim Scott.
  Ultimately, we must return to a policy of maximum pressure--severe 
sanctions, maximum pressure that holds Iran accountable for its 
actions, its actions as the largest state sponsor of terror in the 
world.
  This means a return to the sanctions without waivers. This means 
leading a global effort to isolate Iran, choke off its sources of 
financing, and deny the regime the resources required to dominate the 
region. And this also means making every effort to recognize the rights 
and the freedoms of the people of Iran, including the right of the 
Iranian people to choose their own future. We must take these steps.
  At the same time, we must always do all we can to ensure that we 
provide strong, unwavering support to our closest friend and ally in 
the region, Israel.
  Now, we need to move quickly to provide military support for Israel 
in its fight against Hamas. Also, as I said, our policy on Iran needs 
to change. We need to exert maximum pressure. That means severe 
sanctions without waiver.
  Maximum and unrelenting pressure on Iran helps Israel, helps the 
United States, and provides the best chance for minimizing bloodshed 
both now and in the future.

[[Page S5068]]

  We stand with Israel.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina.

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