House Democrats prepare to take on Trump over Iran sanctions
Democrats and advocacy groups are preparing to confront the Donald Trump administration about obstacles to humanitarian exemptions in the Iran sanctions regime.
Democrats are signaling that they are ready to pick a fight with President Donald Trump over Iran sanctions when they assume control of the House of Representatives next month. It appears their opening salvo is already in the works.
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., is asking colleagues to sign a letter grilling the Trump administration on humanitarian exemptions in its sweeping Iran sanctions regime.
“Credible reporting indicates that sanctions are indeed inhibiting the flow of humanitarian goods to the Iranian people, and this understanding is reflected broadly amongst the international community,” Huffman asserts in the letter, addressed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “In recent weeks, shortages have been reported for anticoagulants and medicine to treat ailments including multiple sclerosis and cancer.”
The letter asks Pompeo to respond to a series of questions on the humanitarian exemptions in the sanctions by Dec. 31. Huffman threatened otherwise to “work with the chairs of relevant committees to ensure hearings on this topic.”
