The two Republicans in the House of Representatives who voted against the resolution passed by the Chamber on Tuesday in support of the Iranian protesters say concerns about putting America first led to their “nay” vote.
On Tuesday, the House approved House Resolution 676 by a 415-2 vote, putting into the Congressional Record its support for the protesters who have taken to the streets in cities across Iran in opposition to its oppressive radical Islamic government.
Reps. Walter Jones (R-NC) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) explained to Breitbart News that the bill left them with concerns about whether America remains in charge of the decisions it makes on foreign policy, including relying on the United Nations.
“While I fully support the brave efforts of the people of Iran (or of any nation) in their efforts to reclaim their government, I could not support this particular resolution,” Massie said. “First, I support getting the United States out of the United Nations, yet H. Res. 676 calls for the Administration to ‘work to convene emergency sessions of the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Human Rights Council.’”
“I have consistently voted against resolutions such as this one that rely on the United Nations or otherwise endorse its legitimacy,” Massie said. “Second, this resolution contains a reference to the ‘murderous Assad regime,’ which lends further support to the notion that the United States should involve itself in Syria’s civil war.”
The resolution states, “Whereas protesters have decried the regime’s costly, destabilizing activities abroad, including its support for terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and the murderous Assad regime in Syria.”
The resolution also:
urges the administration to use targeted sanctions and work to convene emergency sessions of the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Human Rights Council to condemn the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by the Iranian regime and establish a mechanism by which the Security Council can monitor such violations.
“Finally, while I support restrictions that prevent our own government and government-funded companies from providing military equipment to regimes such as Iran, I never vote to support sanctions that could potentially harm innocent civilians,” Massie said. “The text of H. Res. 676 issues a vague call for ‘sanctions’ against Iran, so I could not support it.”
Allison Tucker, communications director for Jones, responded to Breitbart News’s inquiry.
“Congressman Jones believes America has its own problems, and we need to be focusing on those first, instead of other countries,” Tucker said via email.
“He has voted this way on similar resolutions in the past, dealing with the Congo, Ukraine, South Sudan, and Russia,” Tucker said.
The regime in Iran has insisted the protests have ended, but supporters — including those who have held rallies across the United States in recent days — say the protesters have continued their efforts and need support for their cause to bring about a democratic republic in the country.
At least 21 protesters have been killed since protests began on December 27, but some say the number is much higher. Authorities in Iran have said that at least 450 people were detained; however, the U.S. Department of State said the number could be as many as 1,000, CNN reported.
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