{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/letter-to-sec-tillerson-on-iran-earthquake-aid", "Letter to Sec. Tillerson on Iran Earthquake Aid", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Letter to Sec. Tillerson on Iran Earthquake Aid\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, November 17, 2017\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tNovember 16, 2017\r\nThe Honorable Rex Tillerson   Secretary   U.S. Department of State   2201 C St. NW   Washington, DC 20520\r\nDear Secretary Tillerson:\r\nWe write today concerning the recent earthquake that struck Iran on November 12. The latest reports indicate over 500 dead and thousands wounded, making this earthquake the world\u2019s deadliest of the year. We urge you temporarily waive any existing restrictions that would impede relief donations in order to speed the delivery of aid.\r\nWhile the earthquake affected both Iran and Iraq, most of the casualties are on the Iranian side of the border. After earthquakes in 2003 and 2012, the United States demonstrated its compassion and goodwill by offering assistance to the Iranian people and allowing private relief donations. The administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama both temporarily waived sanctions, and the Department of the Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued general licenses to simplify aid delivery.\r\nUnder the Bush administration, an OFAC license authorized U.S. persons to provide cash donations to nongovernmental organizations, U.S. and non-U.S., assisting with relief efforts in Iran. At the time, OFAC also worked with aid organizations to clarify rules on donations of food and medicine and which Iranian entities could receive aid and eased banking constraints to ensure the timely receipt of donations in Iran. While we understand that a general license issued by OFAC in 2013 allows for U.S. nongovernment organization to deliver aid to Iran, we urge you make it easier for U.S. citizens to contribute to nongovernment organizations not based in the United States that are currently providing relief aid to earthquake victims in Iran.\r\nDespite decades of animosity and no formal diplomatic relations, the United States has routinely offered to help the Iranian people in times of need. This time should be no different. We ask that you direct the Department of State to assist in aid efforts and to coordinate such efforts with OFAC and other relevant agencies in order to ensure aid arrives quickly.\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your timely response.\r\n  Sincerely,\r\nBERNARD SANDERS  United States Senator\r\nELIZABETH WARREN  United States Senator\r\nAL FRANKEN  United States Senator\r\nTHOMAS CARPER  United States Senator\r\nDIANNE FEINSTEIN  United States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/letter-to-sec-tillerson-on-iran-earthquake-aid"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9029880166053772, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}