Thomas Massie: “I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding to me. This is a very interesting topic that you are speaking on, and I…”

“I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding to me. This is a very interesting topic that you are speaking on, and I have never had the chance on the floor to explain my feelings on this vote nor the reason why I voted as I did on the Iran bill. So I appreciate the opportunity to say a little bit about this. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the gentleman from Texas is basically qualifying the Iran deal as a treaty, and I agree with that position. In fact, I believe I was the only Congressman to vote ``present'' on that bill. And the reason that I did vote ``present''--I just wanted a chance to clarify this--is that I felt that it was a treaty. I know a lot of us felt that way and we had different ways of dealing with that vote, but I voted ``present'' to indicate it was a treaty and that it really shouldn't have even been here in the House of Representatives. {time} 1230 According to the Constitution, only the Senate shall agree to the treaties, and not the House. We shouldn't really have a say in that. So I just wanted the opportunity, and I appreciate the gentleman from Texas giving me this opportunity, to explain the reason that I voted ``present.'' I think it was only the second time since I have been in Congress, and it was for a constitutional reason. I felt strongly that was a treaty. I thank the gentleman from Texas for this opportunity.”