Jared Huffman: “I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action because we cannot allow…”

“I thank the gentleman. 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, 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--all agree this deal will work. It does it by restricting Iran's nuclear enrichment to nonthreatening levels and by imposing an unprecedented framework of inspections, monitoring, and enforcement--mechanisms that are not built on trust but that 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 are in denial. All of our negotiating partners tell us that that is not going to happen. We would go forward with a much weaker hand, without any, perhaps, sanction partners at all, and with a huge loss of credibility for abandoning our own deal. Blowing this deal up only makes sense if you are prepared to go to war. I know--and I am distressed to say--that, across the aisle, many think that that is a good idea.…”