Erik Paulsen: “And Members, military leaders, national security experts, diplomats, administration officials, Democratic and Republican…”

“And Members, military leaders, national security experts, diplomats, administration officials, Democratic and Republican Members of Congress all agree that sanctions against Iran have worked. Several years ago, 400 Members of Congress in this body--a huge bipartisan majority--voted to increase sanctions on Iran because they recognized that smart, targeted sanctions would curtail the Iranian economy and help unite the world against the Iranian nuclear weapons program. Desperate for sanctions relief, Iran came to the negotiation table. I support diplomatic efforts and was hopeful that the President would be able to bring back a good deal. In fact, 365 Representatives--84 percent of the House--sent a letter to the President, saying we could accept a deal that accomplished four things: had a long-lasting deal that ensured that Iran had no pathway to a bomb; that it fully disclosed the military aspects of its program; that we had anytime, anywhere inspections; and that we would address Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and its destabilizing role in the region. Sadly, none of these principles were met under this deal. The President has claimed that this deal is the strongest nonproliferation agreement ever negotiated, but that just isn't true.…”