House Republicans, led by pro-Israel Iran hawks Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA), couldn’t muster any support — zero votes — for a measure proposed by Democrats that would block a U.S. mining company from doing business with Rio Tinto, a London-based [...]]]> Reposted by arrangement with Think Progress

House Republicans, led by pro-Israel Iran hawks Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA), couldn’t muster any support — zero votes — for a measure proposed by Democrats that would block a U.S. mining company from doing business with Rio Tinto, a London-based mining giant that is partnered with the Iranian government in an African uranium mine. The measure failed, leading Democrats to complain about Republicans’ hypocrisy on Iran sanctions — a top goal for a party trying to seize sole control of the pro-Israel mantle. One Hill Staffer told Washington Jewish Week’s Adam Kredo that the GOP was “put(ting) business interests over Israel’s interests.” Separately, a U.S. court case against Rio Tinto for serious human rights violations was recently revived.