Lawmakers remain opposed to Iran deal
Congressional members will be departing the nation’s capitol this week for their five-week summer vacation, but will continue to mull the lengthy agenda that they will face when they return.
At the top of that list is the Iran nuclear deal.
In mid-July, the U.S. Congress began its 60-day review of the international agreement, with a vote expected in September.
If the Republican-controlled Congress passes a resolution of disapproval for the deal, President Barack Obama has said he will veto it.
On Friday, Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey said during a speech to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, that he would not support the plan.
“This Iran deal would provide a massive present day cash infusion to the Iranian terrorist machine, causing untold destruction and misery in the near term,” he said. ” And in the medium term, it would legitimize and pave the way for the world’s most dangerous regime to have the world’s most dangerous weapon.
” This deal seriously jeopardizes Israel’s security, which is something I care deeply about. But it also jeopardizes American security in a fundamental way.
“I will do everything I can to defeat this deal, and I encourage everyone to do the same.”
The Obama administration and Democratic leaders have ramped up their effort to garner support for the plan should the GOP oppose the plan and the President needs the party support to sustain the veto.
Last week, Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee to allay the concerns of GOP senators who complained they are being asked to vote on the Iran deal without being privy to verification documents being separately negotiated by international nuclear inspectors.
Kerry said there is not side deal or secret agreements between Iran and the Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Instead, there are only technical documents that are standard practice and not released publicly.
“We are aware of what the basics of it are,” Kerry told the committee members. “It is standard procedure for 189 countries that have an agreement with the IAEA…We don’t get that. It is not shared with the world, but we do get briefed on it.”
U.S. Sen. John McCain, committee chairman, responded that to sign off on such a plan with Iran who has a “clear record of cheating,” is “absolutely astounding.”
A recent CNN/ORC poll revealed that 52 percent believe that the deal should be rejected, while 44 percent responded that it should be approved.
U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, said that although he continues to review the details of the agreement, the information and input from experts indicate it is not in the best interest of the U.S. or its allies.
“I believe that it is a terrible deal for our nation and for our close allies in the region, like Israel,” he said. “It does not permanently block Iran, the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, from getting a nuclear weapon, and it will allow for billions of dollars to be invested in their military, which will create an arms race in the Middle East.
“I will reject this agreement when it comes up for a vote, and I will also urge my colleagues to vote no as well.”
While several Democrats have said they will stand with the administration, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has yet to formally declare his intent as to whether he will side with the administration and his Democratic counterparts or join the GOP when the vote is taken in September.
“Senator Casey believes preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is critical to our national security and that of our partners in the region, especially Israel,” said John Rizzo, communications director for the Pennsylvania lawmaker. “Senator Casey has consistently sponsored and supported sanctions against Iran, which brought the regime to the table in the first place, and legislation like the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act and the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015.
“He continues to carefully and thoroughly review the agreement by receiving classified briefings, reviewing classified portions of the agreement and talking with constituents, top officials in the Administration and outside experts on both sides.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.