06.05.13

Hoeven Presses for Passage of Resolution Calling for Free and Fair Iranian Presidential Elections

WASHINGTON –Senator John Hoeven this week spoke on the Senate floor to push for passage of a resolution that he introduced with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) that calls on the Government of Iran to hold a free, fair and open presidential election on June 14.

Senate Resolution 154 highlights that Iran’s Supreme Leader, who outranks the president, is not accountable to the Iranian people through elections, and that Iran’s government has a long history of abusing human rights and holding elections that are neither free nor fair. In support of the Iranian people, the resolution reaffirms U.S. commitment to democracy, human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law. The full text of the resolution is available here.

“I hope we can pass this resolution to demonstrate that we are not fooled by elections that give voters false choices and install leaders determined to threaten the security of other nations,” said Hoeven. “Only true and fair elections that hold Iran’s leaders accountable to the Iranian people will produce a government that deserves to be seen by the world as legitimate. I call on all my Senate colleagues to send that message loud and clear to Tehran.”