Iranian American Views Regarding U.S. Sanctions Against Iran

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July 31, 2013, Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Congress is deliberating legislation which would expand and tighten existing sanctions against Iran. On July 31, 2013, H.R.850, a major bill which, among other things, aims to further reduce Iran’s oil exports, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 400 to 20, and has now been submitted for consideration in the Senate. Other sanctions legislation is under consideration as well. Given that Iranian Americans have close ties to the people of Iran and that sanctions disproportionally affect the population, what are their views on this issue?

In April 2013, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) released the findings of its 2013 National Public Opinion Survey of Iranian Americans. What do the survey results tell us, if anything, about the significance and importance of sanctions in the thinking of the Iranian American community?

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U.S. Senator Gillibrand Endorses Darius Shahinfar for Albany Treasurer

August 7, 2013, Albany, NY – With the September 10th primary fast approaching, Darius Shahinfar’s campaign for City Treasurer of Albany continues to gain momentum with a recent endorsement from U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY).

Shahinfar will be facing County Legislator Gary Domalewicz in the Democratic primary. Both men are seeking to succeed current treasurer Kathy Sheehan, who is running to become Albany’s mayor. Having secured all third party endorsements, and given that there are no Republicans running in the race, Shahinfar will be unchallenged in the general election if he wins the September 10th Democratic primary.

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Board of Directors of IAPAC Appointed for 2014 Election Cycle

August 1, 2013, Washington, D.C. – The Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC), the connected Political Action Committee (PAC) of PAAIA, today announced its new Board of Directors for the 2014 election cycle.

New board members were chosen by a joint nominating committee appointed by the outgoing boards of directors of IAPAC and PAAIA. The committee has ensured continuity by re-electing four incumbent board members who will serve alongside five new members. In addition, the Executive Director of PAAIA serves as an Ex Officio Director of IAPAC, with voting powers equal to those of the other directors.

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Senators Urge Obama to Intensify Pressure on Iran

August 7, 2013, Washington, D.C. – More than three-quarters of the U.S. Senate signed a letter sent to the White House on August 5th, urging President Barack Obama to intensify pressure on Iran to end its alleged nuclear weapons program. The letter was spearheaded by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and received the signatures of 76 senators out of 100.

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PAAIA Attends White House Roundtable with Iranian American Community Leaders

July 31, 2013, Washington, D.C. – On July 26, 2013, PAAIA staff, members of the Board of Directors, and NexGen representatives were among a number of other civic organizations and individuals invited to participate in a White House roundtable discussion with Iranian American community leaders. The event, organized by the Office of Public Engagement, featured several key administration officials who provided an overview of a range of federal initiatives relevant to the community, as well as an opportunity for community members to share their views as part of the White House’s on-going efforts toward comprehensive engagement with Iranian Americans.