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Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee marked up and passed several pieces of legislation authored by Lead Republican Michael McCaul, as well as additional bills McCaul supports. The first, H.R. 6089, the Stop Iranian Drones Act, clarifies that U.S. sanctions on Iran’s conventional weapons program under CAATSA include the supply, sale or transfer to or from Iran of unmanned combat aerial vehicles. The legislation also states that it is US policy to prevent Iran and Iranian-aligned groups from acquiring unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can be used in attacks against the United States or our partners. It was co-led by Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), as well as the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism Lead Republican Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Chairman Ted Deutch (D-FL).

“Iran’s UAV proliferation continues to threaten the U.S. and our allies throughout the Middle East. Whether the attack is launched by Iran, the Houthis, Iran-backed militia groups or any other Iran-sponsored entities, these attacks are intolerable,” Rep. McCaul said. “The people of the Middle East, including Americans living there, cannot live in freedom, stability or prosperity under assault by Iran’s drones. With this bill, we are ensuring the world knows that the U.S. will use every tool to cut off Iran’s UAV supplies and to punish those who continue to supply Iran with UAVs and parts despite their destructive impact.”

The Committee marked up and passed H.Con.Res. 59, a bipartisan bicameral resolution condemning the October 25, 2021, military coup in Sudan and standing with the people of Sudan. This bill was sponsored by Lead Republican McCaul, and cosponsored by Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY). 

“In April 2019, peaceful pro-democracy protestors overthrew Omar Al-Bashir and ended 30 years of brutal dictatorship. After making progress towards civilian rule through the transitional government, the military detained civilian leaders, cut the internet, and declared a state of emergency. The Sudanese people are standing strong as they continue to risk their lives to peacefully protest and demand democracy. I’m proud to join Chairman Meeks and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand with the people of Sudan as they fight for their freedom.”

In addition, the Committee marked up and passed H.R. 6140, the Sudan Democracy Act. This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) and cosponsored by Lead Republican McCaul, would authorizes sanctions against those responsible for perpetrating the October 25th coup and undermining the democratic transition in Sudan.

“I am proud to stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan who have tirelessly demanded freedom, democracy and civilian rule,” Rep. McCaul said. “Marking up this legislation is an important step to hold the military junta accountable for the October 25th coup, and all who seek to undermine efforts to build a democracy in Sudan. I want to thank Chairman Meeks for adding this to our markup today and for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who supported it.”