The Nation : House Bans Weapons Sales to Terrorists

Trying to prevent another Iran-Contra affair, the House adopted legislation that would prohibit any American from exporting arms to a terrorist state, whether the individual is a government employee, a private citizen or someone acting on behalf of the government. Passed by voice vote and sent to the Senate, the bill would tighten requirements for the President to notify Congress of foreign policy initiatives such as the secret arms sales to Iran. President Reagan did not tell Congress he had authorized sales to Iran until after the secret operation was revealed in a Middle East publication. Iran is one of six nations designated by the State Department as a terrorist country. In other legislation to grow out of the scandal, the Senate earlier this year passed a bill--still pending in the House--that would require the President to notify Congress of any covert intelligence operation within 48 hours after its authorization. Current law merely provides for timely notification.