Florida Republican Marco Rubio has joined up with other GOP senators, including once and possible future presidential rival Ted Cruz of Texas, to unveil a bill ensuring the Export-Import Bank can’t provide Iran assistance.
Rubio unveiled the “No Ex-Im Financing for Iran Act” on Thursday with Cruz and fellow Republicans John Cornyn of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas as co-sponsors. The Florida Republican’s office insists the bill “would close the loophole which currently allows Iran to receive indirect Export-Import financing."
Rubio pointed to Boeing’s $17 billion aircraft deal with the Iranian government which could be financed in part by the bank.
“Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism, and the regime should not benefit in any way, shape or form from U.S. taxpayer assistance,” Rubio said on Thursday. “Since President Obama’s Iran deal was enacted, the Iranian regime has done nothing to modify its provocative, anti-American behavior.
“Major Western companies, including Airbus and Boeing, have already struck deals to sell to Iran that can be used to further Iran’s promotion of terrorism,” Rubio added. “Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund Iran’s purchase of new aircraft which it will use to ship weapons and troops to brutal regimes and terrorist groups. It is unacceptable and wrong to see military equipment willingly put into the hands of a regime like Iran’s, and Congress should stop this from happening by passing this legislation.”
In the meantime, while the Obama administration supports Boeing’s deal with Iran, members of both parties joined in the House to pass amendments from Republican Congressman Peter Roskam of Illinois blocking the sale. Roskam introduced the House version of Rubio’s bill late last month. Florida Republican Mario Diaz-Balart was an original co-sponsor of Roskam’s bill. Roskam wrote Boeing last month demanding answers from Boeing on the security implications of its deal with Iran.
