Bipartisan Resolution Backing Iranian Protesters Passes Congress in Overwhelming Vote

L: Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.); C: Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas); R: Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.). Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images; Ken Cedeno-Pool/Getty Images; Ken Cedeno-Pool/Getty Images

A bipartisan resolution in the U.S. House supporting protesters risking their lives to demonstrate for their freedom in Iran swept through Congress with the enormous support of Democrats and Republicans.

The 420–1 vote on Jan. 25 marked the latest round of international condemnation against Iran’s government, which has engaged in the brutal repression of its citizenry since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody on Sep. 16, 2022. Amini died after being arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code.

The Congressional resolution was introduced by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) in a successful demonstration of bipartisan in what was expected to be a deeply divided congress.

“The House just passed the bipartisan resolution I co-led to commend the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran who are demonstrating against the oppressive Iranian regime for its human rights abuses,” Gottheimer, co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, wrote in a social media post after the passage of the resolution. “Iran is the world’s leading state-sponsor of terror. With our legislation passing today, we’re making clear that we support those brave individuals committed to freedom and human rights, both in Iran and around the world.”

The resolution was first introduced in the last Congress by several Republican and Democratic lawmakers and was revived earlier this month. Its passage came days after the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom imposed a series of fresh sanctions on dozens of Iranian officials and organizations, including the country’s special military and police forces, for their violent clampdown.

“The murderous regime in Iran continues its violent crackdown on its citizens’ rights and civil liberties,” said Tenney. “The House reaffirmed with one voice our commitment to support these brave protestors, who are more resolved than ever to fight this regime … This resolution makes clear that the U.S. House of Representatives stands with them and that the United States will continue to do all it can to hold the regime, which is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, accountable.”

Activists say at least 16 people have been sentenced to death in closed-door hearings over charges linked to the protests. Death sentences in Iran are typically carried out by hanging.

At least 517 protesters have been killed and over 19,200 people have been arrested, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that has closely monitored the unrest. Iranian authorities have not provided an official count of those killed or detained.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.