On the recordSeptember 11, 2015
I thank the chairman. The chairman has one of the brightest and most insightful foreign policy minds this Congress has ever produced. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the legislation in front of us. For years, our Nation, in conjunction with partners from across the globe, built up a robust sanctions package against the regime in Tehran for their illegal nuclear work, among other illicit actions and activities. These sanctions worked, Mr. Speaker. Iran's economy crumbled, which forced them to the negotiating table. The only trouble is, Mr. Speaker, on the other side of that negotiating table was the Obama administration--a group so eager to sign a deal that they gave in to the Iranians at every turn and forgot the true nature and evil of who they were dealing with. To get a deal, the administration walked back many of their initial demands--demands that actually might have made this a better deal. Mr. Speaker, it is all too clear that this deal must be reworked and rejected. Now, I certainly believe that there is a role for diplomacy, but diplomacy must come from a source of strength, not weakness and capitulation, which is why the legislation before us today is so important. The waivers built into our sanctions were not meant to be used by any President to force an agreement past Congress and the majority of the American people.…
