Chris Coons: “I rise to discuss one of the greatest threats we face today in America, a great threat to our vital ally Israel and to…”

“I rise to discuss one of the greatest threats we face today in America, a great threat to our vital ally Israel and to global security--the nuclear weapons ambitions of Iran and the options that remain before us for blocking those ambitions. On July 14, after years of negotiations between the United States, our international partners, and Iran, the administration reached a comprehensive agreement to freeze and roll back aspects of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from the sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. Our key partners in imposing and enforcing the sanctions that drove Iran to the negotiating table--the UK, Germany, France, the EU, China, and Russia--also joined in negotiating and ultimately ratifying this deal. Thanks to bipartisan legislation that passed this Chamber nearly unanimously, Congress is now fulfilling its duty to review this deal under the authority of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. As a public servant and Member of this body, I am grateful for the opportunity to join my colleagues to thoughtfully debate this vital and important issue. As a body, we owe that to the American people. As a Senator from Delaware, I owe that to Delawareans--to participate in a vigorous debate on an issue with profound and far-reaching consequences, not just for our Nation but for the whole global community.…”