Lawmakers’ letters press Obama on [Iran] sanctions [AIPAC victory]

JTA -- More than three-quarters of the members in both houses of the U.S. Congress wrote to President Obama urging him to unilaterally sanction Iran.

The House of Representatives letter, initiated by Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) and Mike Pence (R-Ind.), garnered 363 signatories. The Senate letter, initiated by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), garnered 76.

.......The Obama administration has resisted unilateral sanctions, preferring to focus on multilateral sanctions through the U.N. Security Council.

Existing congressional sanctions and a package of enhancements now under consideration are much more punitive than planned multilateral sanctions. The U.N. sanctions would expand the list of Iranian individuals and entities subject to travel and business restrictions. The congressional sanctions target third parties that deal with Iran.

The Obama administration is concerned that such targeting will anger countries it wants on board for the U.N. sanctions.

.........The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which for years has lobbied hard for such sanctions, strongly praised the letters. In a lobbying blitz, delegates to its annual policy conference two weeks ago urged lawmakers to sign.
 
.....Lee Rosenberg, AIPAC's president and a native of Chicago, credited Jackson for initiating the letter. Noting his influential post on the foreign operations subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, Rosenberg told JTA that Jackson "is in a position to make a real and meaningful impact for the U.S.-Israel relationship. His leadership in working to stop Iran's nuclear program and pressing for immediate and increased sanctions is something the whole pro-Israel community should be thankful for."  Full story