Here's a statement on the Iran deal from Rep. Don Beyer. Also, see the statement from Sen. Tim Kaine on the "flip." Personally, my initial reaction to this deal is that we all need to look at the fine print, but that in general it's the "least bad" option when it comes to Iran, given that the second "least bad" option was basically endless bombing/war/sanctions (the latter would eventually fall apart, as the international coalition would splinter) to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Having said that, of course I don't trust Iran's horrendous, human-rights-abusing, terrorism-sponsoring, expansionistic theocratic dictatorship in any way, but unless anyone has a better idea regarding how to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons, I really don't feel like listening to hysterics from the usual suspects - John McCain, Linsdey Graham, Bibi Netanyahu, etc. I'd also note that the Bush administration completely failed to head off Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapons program in 8 years of their administration, and that yet again a Democratic administration appears to have achieved what a Republican administration couldn't. Shocker, eh? ;)
July 14, 2015 (Washington, DC) – Congressman Don Beyer, former Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, applauded the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated by the Obama Administration's and the P5+1 Group with Iran over its nuclear program:
“This is an historic accomplishment for President Obama, Secretary Kerry, the American negotiators, and the diplomatic process to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions," said Rep. Beyer. "I commend our diplomats for skillfully averting a global showdown and blocking Iran’s efforts to obtain the bomb."
Today’s deal, announced by Secretary Kerry this morning, is in line with the April 2nd framework agreed to in Lausanne and imposes significant obstacles blocking Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon in exchange for sanctions relief, dependent on critical nonproliferation commitments.
Beyer continued: "We cannot allow a nuclear Iran and this deal will serve as a lasting deterrent to keep the United States out of another devastating war in the Middle East. Now I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure this deal goes forward unhindered.”
As Ambassador to Switzerland, Rep. Beyer hosted negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 countries and Germany in Switzerland, including the meeting in November 2013 during which the six countries concluded the primary agreement with Iran, known as the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA).
KAINE STATEMENT ON IRAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the Iran nuclear deal:
"I applaud the U.S. negotiating team for its hard work to find a diplomatic solution to peacefully limit Iran's nuclear program. A nation's commitment to diplomacy is every bit as important as its commitment to military strength. Now that the negotiations have concluded, Congress must give the deal a thorough and independent review to ensure it cuts off all of Iran's pathways to a nuclear weapon.
"One of the key reasons I co-authored the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, even over the initial objections of many in my party and the Administration, was to provide Congress a clear and constructive way to review a final nuclear deal. Given that the deal largely hinges on what Iran must do to get relief from sanctions imposed by Congress, the American public deserves to have its elected representatives review any final deal to ensure it is in our national security interest. In the days and weeks ahead, I look forward to discussing the terms of the agreement in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and examining the details before making a decision to either approve or disapprove the deal, which will provide Iran significant relief from economic sanctions. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to analyze this deal in the days and weeks ahead."
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DECLARACIONES DE KAINE SOBRE EL ACUERDO NUCLEAR CON IRÁN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - El Senador Tim Kaine, miembro del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado, hizo hoy las siguientes declaraciones sobre el acuerdo nuclear con Irán:
"Felicito a los negociadores estadounidenses por sus esfuerzos para encontrar una solución diplomática que limite pacíficamente el programa nuclear iraní. El compromiso de un país a la diplomacia es igual de importante que su compromiso al uso de su poder militar. Ahora que las negociaciones han concluido, el Congreso debe analizar el acuerdo cuidadosamente y de manera independiente para asegurar que elimine todos caminos que permitan que Irán obtenga un arma nuclear.
"Una de las razones por las que copatrociné el Proyecto de Ley para la Revisión del Acuerdo Nuclear con Irán, a pesar de las objeciones iniciales de mi partido y la Administración, era para asegurar que el Congreso tuviera una manera clara y constructiva de analizar un acuerdo nuclear final. Ya que el acuerdo dicta lo que Irán debe de hacer para que se le levanten las sanciones impuestas por el Congreso, el pueblo estadounidense merece que sus representantes elegidos analicen cualquier acuerdo final y aseguren que el acuerdo beneficie nuestra seguridad nacional. En los próximos días y semanas, espero hablar sobre las condiciones del acuerdo en el comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado y examinar los detalles antes de tomar la decisión de aprobar o rechazar el acuerdo que aliviaría a Irán de las sanciones económicas. Espero trabajar con mis colegas en el Senado para analizar este acuerdo en los próximos días y semanas."
