Saxby Chambliss: “I rise today to address the significant and persistent national security threat stemming from Iran's unchecked nuclear…”

“I rise today to address the significant and persistent national security threat stemming from Iran's unchecked nuclear program. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment to S. 1982 from the senior Senator from North Carolina which includes provisions to strengthen our sanctions against Iran should they fail to comply with their obligations under the joint plan of action. Last November the Obama administration, without sufficient consultation with Congress, committed to an interim nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Under this agreement we are granting to Iran over $7 billion in sanctions relief in exchange for their commitments to decelerate their nuclear program--commitments which will be difficult, if not impossible, to verify or enforce. In effect, we are delivering billions of dollars in repatriated oil sales proceeds, additional foreign trade, and currency--all in exchange for hollow promises of compliance with laws and U.N. Security Council resolutions they should already be following. The stated U.S. policy, which American Presidents have repeated for decades, is to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. However, this agreement maintains Iran's nuclear weapons capability, and it allows Iran to continue to enrich uranium. Moreover, Iran will not be required to destroy any centrifuges and will be permitted to replace centrifuges that become inoperable.…”