Excerpts of the speech of the Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Republican Leader and Representative of California’s 23rd District, at the Free Iran 2022, is as follows:

I’m Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, and I’m pleased to join you today in standing to support a free Iran. For four decades, the oppressive regime in Tehran has suppressed the Iranian people and threatened the world. Instead of guaranteeing freedoms of speech and assembly, it jails anyone who speaks up.

Instead of living peacefully with its neighbors, it funds terrorism and seeks nuclear weapons. Some say that negotiating with the Iranian regime will stop their evil behavior. But as we’ve seen time and again, giving them cash and legitimacy does nothing to change their behavior. The Iranian people who crave freedom and democracy want and deserve better.

To the families who have lost loved ones in opposing this brutal regime, I am praying for you. Know that the memory of your loved ones will never be forgotten by all those who cherish freedom, including in America.

We all hope and pray to see the day when Iran sheds its dictatorship and embraces democracy, when it puts its people, not corrupt leaders and terrorists first, when Iran is truly free, this is our goal, and I look forward to continue to work with you. We will all strive to make Iran free. Thank you.