Ben Cardin

We made clear in the negotiations that we retained the ability and we were going to keep in place sanctions on terrorism.

The terms of this deal achieve the purpose they were meant to achieve: blocking Iran's paths to a nuclear bomb.

I want to thank Secretary Kerry, Secretary Moniz, and Secretary Lew, and your entire negotiating team.

I believe that you have crossed a new threshold in U.S. foreign policy where now it is the policy of the United States to enable a state sponsor of terror to obtain a sophisticated industrial nuclear development program.

If Congress were to say these sanctions cannot be lifted, it would not be any different than the snapback that we now have.

I think I probably started this month solely focused on the framework on inspections and verification as being the most challenging part.

There is not a single Iranian official from whatever political tendency that suggests it will not embark on an industrial-sized nuclear program upon expiration of the sunset clause.

I plan to keep an open mind until we get the agreement and all of the attachments to that agreement.

What is clear to me is that we need an agreement with Iran that requires the resolution of possible military dimensions; demands verifiable, transparent, intrusive inspections; and ensures that the sanctions will snap back forcefully…

The right diplomatic path, the right agreement, would be the best course for us to pursue to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear weapons state.

President Obama and his administration deserve praise for boldly pursuing the diplomatic path.

I want to see, and I think all of us here want to see, a strong agreement with Iran that will prevent them from obtaining a nuclear weapon and hold them accountable.

What we do know is what is in the framework agreement.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Technology helps, but it is not a perfect solution.

The main focus of the joint plan of action, as I understand it, has been on the overt path, the declared facilities.

I think everyone here agrees that our first priority is to resolve international conflicts through diplomacy and use our military as the last resort.

I have said many times the agreement will be evaluated based on having ample time to discover through inspection if Iran is not complying with the agreement.

I think it is important to point out we have had incredible participation by all the members of our committee during this month.

We are not going to let them win, we are pushing for a negotiated settlement.

We have to restore our military credibility.

We have to start now, and we have to start in the context of this nuclear deal.

The only partner that we have had that is been a consistent partner to the United States has been Israel.

Iran could very well continue its current policy of supporting terrorism and its interference in so many other countries that is making it very challenging for our partners in the region.

If we reach an agreement with Iran, if we are successful in having an agreement that prevents them from moving forward with a nuclear weapon program, there are still many other issues in our relationship with Iran.