Rep. Huffman Votes to Support Iran Deal

September 11, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today voted to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement negotiated between Iran and the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the European Union, China, and Russia. Huffman announced his support for the Iran Deal on Tuesday after two months of study and deliberation that including classified briefings, meetings with the President, Secretary of State, and leaders of the defense and intelligence communities, and numerous discussions with constituents.

This morning, Huffman spoke in support of the Iran deal, saying “We cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon—this is the smartest and most responsible way to prevent that… blowing this deal up only makes sense if you’re prepared to go to war.”

Huffman’s speech can be viewed HERE:

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A transcript of Rep. Huffman’s speech follows:

“Mr. Speaker,

“I rise in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action because we cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, and this is the smartest and most responsible way to prevent that.

“Nuclear experts, our own military and intelligence communities, and all five nations that have negotiated with us, countries that have a direct interest in preventing an Iranian bomb agree: this deal will work.

“It does it by restricting Iran’s nuclear enrichment to nonthreatening levels and an imposing and unprecedented framework of inspections, monitoring, and enforcement, mechanisms that are not built on trust; they are built on distrust and verification.

“Is this deal perfect? No. I would prefer a deal that permanently bans all enrichment. However, experts agree that this deal can and will keep Iran’s nuclear program in a box for at least the next 15 years.

“Now opponents think we should blow this deal up, walk away, and try for a better deal. With all due respect, I think they’re in denial.

“All of our negotiating partners tell us ‘that’s not going to happen.’ We’d go forward with a much weaker hand—perhaps without any sanctions partners at all, with a huge loss of credibility for abandoning our own deal.

“Blowing this deal up only makes sense if you’re prepared to go to war. I know that across the aisle, I’m distressed to say, many think that is a good idea. I’m concerned that across the aisle there’s an outbreak of ‘Dick Cheney Fever’ and the amnesia that goes with it. They want to take us back to the good old days of the Bush years when unilateralism and militarism made us less safe, not safer.

“There’s a smarter, more responsible way forward toward preventing Iran from having a nuclear bomb. Let’s give diplomacy and peace a chance. Let’s support this agreement.”

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