BOSTON – State representative and candidate for Congress Jeff Perry (R-Sandwich) fought strongly today for passage of legislation that will require Massachusetts to divest its pension money from foreign oil and gas companies with active investments of more than $20 million in Iran.

“This is an issue of great importance, not just to the people of Massachusetts, but to all Americans,” said Perry, after the House voted 131-15 in favor of the legislation. “Today, we sent a loud and clear message that we will not allow our pension dollars to foster terrorist activity by Iran.”

The bill Perry advocated for (House Bill 4297) is the same legislation that passed the House last session by a vote of 125-27. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass in the Senate before the session ended. More than 19 other states have either enacted similar legislation, or adopted policies to the same effect, including California, New York, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania.