Cory Booker: “first, I echo the concerns of my colleagues here. It was extremely valuable to be able to travel with Senators Heitkamp…”

“first, I echo the concerns of my colleagues here. It was extremely valuable to be able to travel with Senators Heitkamp, Kaine, and Coons as part of the eight-Member delegation to the IAEA, and meet with the individuals in charge of the inspections, as well as to go to Israel, and meet with Benjamin Netanyahu in a private setting about the concerns Senator Kaine articulated. In addition to that, we visited with other allies: Saudi Arabia, as well as Turkey. Let's be clear. As has been said already, we are seeing important steps being taken that, in the immediate term, reduce the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. The steps they are taking are definitive, measurable, and specifically aligned with the JCPOA. It is important to understand--whether it is moving uranium out, blocking their plutonium pathway, and setting up the inspections regime along the entire supply chain--that these are all important steps toward implementing the JCPOA. But I want to make two very clear points. The first point is that last summer, as I and many of my colleagues were immersed in evaluating the JCPOA, the Administration promised clear and firm responses to even the smallest violation. Like many of my colleagues, this played a role in my decision to support the nuclear agreement. We expect to see a follow-through on that promise of accountability. We expect enforcement.…”