Divestment

Bayh, Lieberman, and Kyl Call for Prompt Final Passage of Bill by Full Senate

October 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) issued the following statement today, following the unanimous passage by the Senate Banking Committee of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2009:    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) -- The United States House of Representatives today passed H.R. 1327, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009, of which Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) is a cosponsor. The bill gives federal authority to state and local governments that want to divest their public pension funds from foreign companies with more than $20 million invested in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill also removes legal barriers that would prevent mutual fund and corporate pension fund managers from cutting ties with these companies.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Today, a strong, bi-partisan majority in the House of Representatives voted to pass the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009 (HR 1327). This legislation would ease the path for state and local governments and pension plans to divest themselves of investments in Iran's oil or natural gas sectors. Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (TX‑20), a co-sponsor of the legislation, issued the following statement on the 414-6 vote.    » read more »

Jan. 22, 2008 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, state lawmakers, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Public Employees' Retirement Association of Colorado today announced a new divestment policy toward companies that have a significant financial stake in Iran.    » read more »

20 December 2007 -- The U.S. Congress has approved legislation that would allow U.S. states, localities and private investors to withdraw their investments in Sudan. The bill targets four economic sectors – oil, power production, mining and military equipment – that analysts say are important sources of revenue for the Sudan government. It is now awaiting President Bush’s signature.    » read more »

10/14/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed AB 221 by Assemblymember Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) which prohibits the state’s pension funds from investing in companies with active business in Iran.    » read more »

04 October 2007 -- Moves underway in the US Congress to impose new sanctions against Sudan have met opposition from the Bush Administration, which is telling legislators the restrictions could derail diplomatic efforts. Two well-placed officials testified at yesterday’s Senate Banking Committee hearing on a bill encouraging US states to divest from companies doing business with Sudan.    » read more »

Announces Establishment of Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce

Sep. 25, 2007 -- DALLAS - Today at an event announcing the establishment of the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Texas Governor Rick Perry said he is asking the Employees Retirement System (ERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to divest all investments from companies doing business with Iran.    » read more »

09/24/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement today regarding legislation to divest from Iran, AB 221.

“California has a long history of leadership and doing what’s right with our investment portfolio. Last year, I was proud to sign legislation to divest from the Sudan to take a powerful stand against genocide. I look forward to signing legislation to divest from Iran to take an equally powerful stand against terrorism.”    » read more »

September 19, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued the following statement on the State Board of Administration’s implementation of the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act:    » read more »

Jun. 21, 2007 -- AUSTIN – Texas Governor Rick Perry today signed Senate Bill 247, which directs the state Employees Retirement System (ERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to divest financial holdings in companies doing business in Sudan.

“As one of the richest nations in the world, our country holds both tremendous power and great influence,” said Perry. “The brutal attacks on the people of Darfur are sickening. And what is worse, they are coming from the very body that should be protecting them: the Sudanese government.    » read more »

May 31, 2007 -- JERUSALEM – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced his intent to encourage other United States governors to follow Florida’s lead in Iran and Sudan divestiture. Governor Crist announced the effort in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.    » read more »

May 16, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) and Tom Lantos (D-CA) today introduced the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007, which empowers Americans to apply economic pressure on the Iranian regime by establishing a federal list of entities that invest in Iran and allowing for divestment.    » read more »

Bill ensuring no investment in Sudan among 18 signed today

May 11, 2007 -- A bill ensuring the state’s retirement funds won’t be invested in companies doing business in Sudan was signed today by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

“The horrific genocide taking place in Sudan is well-documented, and we want to have nothing to do with companies that are doing business in that nation so long as its government does nothing to stop the killing,” said Sebelius.    » read more »

08 May 2007 -- A US Congresswoman says strengthening African Union (AU) forces and divesting US companies doing business with Sudan should be a priority. Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee represents Texas and is serving her seventh two-year term in the House of Representatives. She serves on several key House committees and subcommittees. They include the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.    » read more »