Congressman Bill Owens Wednesday voted to pass H.R. 1905, the Iran Threat Reduction Act of 2011, a bipartisan bill Owens cosponsored that imposes strict sanctions on Iran and its oil industry.

"This legislation bolsters Israel's security and America's allies in the region," said Owens. "Proceeds from Iranian crude oil sales allow the nation to continue its quest for nuclear weapons and sustain its record of human rights violations. A nuclear Iran is unacceptable. We need to keep up the pressure on their energy sector and hit them where it hurts."

The International Atomic Energy Agency recently released a report providing the agency's first public confirmation that Iran is working toward building a nuclear weapon.

H.R. 1905 strengthens previous sanctions against Iran to ensure that current law vigorously addresses the international threat posed by the nation.

The bill closes loopholes in previously passed energy and financial sanctions against Iran, targeting the nation's Central Bank, senior regime officials, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Also passing the House Tuesday with Congressman Owens' support was H.R. 2105, the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Reform and Modernization Act.

The legislation would sanction entities that transfer specific goods and services to these nations.