Political Quotes

“this is a classic moment-- unfortunately, too typical--where we all agree on the goal, but we want to pass another tier of sanctions against the Iranians to deter them from developing nuclear weapons. Our goal has been to get this done before the P5+1--five permanent members of the Security Council of the U.N., plus Germany--meet again with Iran in Baghdad this time, which is next Tuesday. I understand the frustration of the majority leader. First, nobody has been more consistent and steadfast and sincere in their effort than the majority leader to have this body make very clear to everybody in the world--particularly the Iranians--that we will not accept them becoming a nuclear power, and we are prepared to use economic sanctions and, if necessary, certainly now the credible threat of force. I also know the majority leader has been pushed and pulled back and forth over the last several weeks to get to a point where we can get this done before May 23. So I understand his frustration at this moment. I hear my Republican colleagues, and I have looked at the language they are concerned about. They are concerned that in listing the economic sanctions as one way that can be used to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons and not listing the credible threat, the option of military force, as President Obama and others have said, that somehow we are sending a message of weakness.…”