North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman to vote for Iran nuclear deal
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said Wednesday he will vote for President Barack Obama’s proposed Iran nuclear deal, saying that two months of deliberation have left him to conclude it offers the “best option” for preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.
Huffman said his decision hinged on whether the deal negotiated by the United States and its allies would prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and whether there is a better alternative.
Allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons would be a “grave threat” to U.S. and Israeli security and would also “ignite a nuclear arms race in the already volatile Middle East,” he said in a written statement.
“It can work, and it is by far our best option,” he said in a follow-up telephone interview.
Huffman said the U.S. must remain vigilant, noting it is “probably right that Iran may try to cheat” on the deal.
Huffman said one factor that delayed his decision was the fate of a Marin County constituent, Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post journalist held in Iran for more than 400 days on charges of spying. Huffman said he had talked to Rezaian’s family, State Department officials and Swiss diplomats, pressing the “need to do more to secure his freedom.”
State Department officials assured him Rezaian’s case is “a very high priority,” Huffman said, adding that he could make no further public comment.
The deal with Iran marks the beginning of a 15-year period that should be used to negotiate “an even more permanent solution” to the nuclear arms issue, Huffman said.
The Republican majority in the House is expected to pass a resolution disapproving the nuclear deal, and Democrats are scrambling to line up the votes to sustain a veto of that move by President Obama.
Senate Democrats this week secured the votes needed to block Senate disapproval, sparing the president the need to use his veto power.
Source: By Guy Kovner
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