Jeff Flake

I fear that if we are reluctant, if this administration is reluctant, to even countenance legislation reaffirming Congress' right to reimpose sanctions or to actually continue sanctions, then we might be reticent to confront Iran in…

The next President of the United States... will really only have one choice: to accept Iran as a nuclear weapons state or to strike.

So the concern is that if Iran had the same kind of threshold capacity that Japan has, there would be fewer political constraints on them actually producing nuclear weapons.

Congress could in legislation require that to be addressed before U.S. sanctions come off.

I think the concern that we have is that the leverage point actually goes to Iran.

Hearing your testimony today, each on one side of this in terms of whether you favor the agreement or not, I think demonstrates that the only thing that is certain is this is no easy call.

This really does come down, in terms of Congress' role, as to which are nuclear-related sanctions and which are not.

If we decided--if want to impose penalties to deter them from terrorist activity and we impose sanctions on their Central Bank, that that will not be a material breach to the accord.

What would constitute reintroducing, re-imposing sanctions specified, existing sanctions.

These sanctions will ultimately be suspended because of the JCPOA.

I believe that the only reason Iran is at the table is because the sanctions have bitten pretty hard.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing, and I appreciate the testimony.

I have been supportive of these negotiations with Iran, partly because I sense that it would be tough to hold the coalition that we have put together, together for much longer.

I want to thank you for calling this hearing as well, and for your response on this issue early on and encouraging a more robust response from the United States.

I appreciate the testimony, and I know it must be intimidating speaking with the President of Liberia literally looking over your shoulder here.

I was part of the Gang of Eight process here to write the Senate bill.

We need reform desperately. We need people to come out of the shadows.

I hope that the administration will change its mind and ask firmly for an AUMF, and I hope Congress gives it.

I find it interesting, I heard one of my colleagues say that the purpose of these net neutrality rules is to maintain the Internet as it is.

I think we all acknowledge the reason that Iran is at the table is because of the effectiveness of these sanctions.

I hope the Iranians do understand that if an agreement is reached that is verifiable that we will follow through with sanctions relief.

I am concerned that when these sanctions fray, if they fray, then it will not be as effective.

Without our military there actually conducting ground operations, our efforts have been in the diplomatic field.

How long have we known that ISIL was a threat to the extent that they are now? How long has the State Department assessed it as a threat?

It seems to me we have been spectacularly unsuccessful in the diplomatic arena in that regard.