Introduction of the 'Solidarity Act' in Congress Aiming to Change U.S. Policy Towards the Islamic Republic

Barbara Lee, a veteran Democratic legislator and member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California, announced the introduction of the 'Solidarity Act' aimed at changing U.S. policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran and supporting Iranian protesters. According to a statement released by Ms. Lee, her proposed change is intended to better support peaceful protesters and their allies while holding the Islamic Republic 'regime' accountable. In the statement published on December 21, she referred to the 'courage of Iranians' in their pursuit of fundamental human rights, stating that the U.S. government must update its strategy towards the Islamic Republic by placing the Iranian people at the center of its approach. She noted the brutal suppression of peaceful protesters by the Islamic Republic government, stating that the Iranian government has engaged in actions such as arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions in response to dissent, and many individuals and families are under economic, physical, and psychological pressure. According to this veteran Democratic legislator, U.S. government policies have not aligned with the realities inside Iran, and U.S. sanctions aimed at punishing the Islamic Republic 'regime' have often exacerbated the challenges ordinary Iranian citizens face in securing their livelihoods or organizing protests against the Iranian government. The proposed law combines new sanctions focused on the 'worst' abuses of the Islamic Republic with new tools that allow Iranian Americans to communicate with and support their loved ones. According to this Democratic legislator, the 'Solidarity Act' will enable broader access to internet services for Iranian protesters and create mechanisms to improve the effectiveness, coordination, impact, and outcomes of aid programs for the people of Iran. She expressed hope that the introduction of this law, coinciding with the Yalda Night, could bring a ray of hope to Iranians. Barbara Lee has also urged her colleagues in the U.S. Congress to adopt a 'fairer' and 'more constructive' policy towards Iran. Since the early days of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests following the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in the custody of the morality police, the U.S. and its allies have expressed solidarity with the Iranian people and condemned the violent suppression of protesters by the Islamic Republic, imposing several sanctions packages against institutions and individuals responsible for the deadly repression of Iranians.