NEGATIVE War & Foreign Policy 118th Congress

H.R.4691 Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act

Restricts the president's ability to waive Iran sanctions, requiring 30-60 day congressional review of any relief (118th Congress)

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Legal & Constitutional Grounding

Restricting waivers under IEEPA limits diplomacy; sanctions caused 6M+ patient shortages, 6x thalassemia deaths (Lancet/HRW).

International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq. — presidential authority to impose and waive economic sanctions

CISADA, 22 U.S.C. § 8501 et seq.
HRW 'Maximum Pressure' (Oct. 2019) — 6M+ patients affected; Factor VIII access for hemophilia patients dropped from 96.7% to 3.3% (2009-2012)
WHO EMRO — 13 of 26 essential NCD medicines had significantly reduced availability; antiepileptic drug prices spiked 300%
Lancet (2025) — thalassemia patient life expectancy dropped from 50 years to under 20; deaths increased sixfold (2018-2022)
CEPR/Rodriguez (2023) — 30 of 32 studies found negative effects; sanctions cause average 1.4-year reduction in female life expectancy

Restricts presidential authority to waive Iran sanctions, requiring congressional review. Limiting diplomatic flexibility undermines ongoing negotiations and the executive's ability to pursue de-escalation.