On the recordMay 15, 2012
For the Iranian regime, the possession of the capability to produce a nuclear weapon would be almost as useful as actually having one. Tehran would be able to intimidate its neighbors and engage in even more threatening actions by reminding us that they could develop nuclear weapons anytime the regime wanted. Tehran might even decide not to reveal whether or not it had developed nuclear weapons, thereby keeping the world guessing and off balance indefinitely, all while claiming innocence. Tehran would be in the driver's seat, and the security of the United States, Israel, and our many other allies would be in their hands. We need to make clear that containing a nuclear Iran is not an option, that nothing short of stopping Iran from developing a nuclear- weapons capability is good enough. So that is why Ranking Member Berman and I have introduced the resolution before us, House Resolution 568, which strongly supports preventing the Iranian regime from acquiring a nuclear-weapons capability. It rejects any policy that would rely on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons-capable Iran. It supports the right and democratic aspirations of the Iranian people. Lastly, it urges the President to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with a nuclear-weapons capability and to oppose any policy that would rely on containment as an option. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
