Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against two men in a plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the United States: “The allegations in the criminal complaint are shocking. I would like to thank our law enforcement, intelligence agencies and the Mexican government for their efforts to foil the alleged Iranian plot to kill the Saudi Ambassador to the United States. I support the Treasury Department’s sanctions on five individuals associated with this alleged plot. “Such an attack could have resulted in scores of American casualties. This incident shows that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ‘Qods’ force intends to continue extending its influence abroad. Through my oversight position on the Foreign Relations Committee, I have examined the efforts of the Iranian regime to supp...

US Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey have released statements regarding the release of the American hikers who had been detained in Iran. Josh Fattal of Elkins Park, Pa., and Shane Bauer of Onamia, Minn., had been held in Iran for two years. "I am elated that Josh and Shane were finally released today. These innocent men suffered for far too long at the hands of injustice. Their release is a testament to the hard work and commitment of their families who have not rested over the past two years. I was honored to support their efforts and we are thrilled that this day has finally arrived. I look forward to welcoming you home, Josh and Shane," said Casey, who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs In April, Toomey sent a letter to President Obama, along with several of his colleagues, urging the president to pursue all diplomatic means to return the American hikers to their families. “For the last two yea...

A bill that would require Pennsylvania’s two largest pension funds and the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to divest from investments in Sudan and Iran has passed the state Senate by a 42-7 vote. “As a civilized Commonwealth, and as one of the states that was directly impacted by the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, Pennsylvania cannot and will not associate itself with rogue nations that sponsor genocide and terrorism,” said Senator Mike Stack. “Companies that choose to conduct business with nations that sponsor terrorism or murder their own people should not be supported by Pennsylvania tax dollars.” At a Senate Appropriations budget meeting in February, officials of the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) said they were steadily reducing investments in companies investing in Sudan and Iran. Both PSERS and the State Employees Retirement System say that less than 1 percent of their total investments are in companies doing business in Sudan or Iran. “Divestin...