Bob Menendez: “first let me thank the majority leader for his doggedness in making sure we could come to an agreement that sends a…”

“first let me thank the majority leader for his doggedness in making sure we could come to an agreement that sends a clear message to Iran before the P5+1 talks take place this week. His commitment made the difference. I would also like to thank the chairman of the Banking Committee, Senator Johnson of South Dakota, who, in an agenda that is incredibly full with all of the challenges the Banking Committee is taking up, made sure the whole effort on Iran sanctions had a priority in the committee and worked to get the strong, bipartisan, unanimous vote that came out of the committee that gives us the foundation to move forward today. So I thank both of them. Today the Senate sends a clear message to Iran as it prepares for the P5+1 talks in Baghdad, and basically that message is: provide a real and verifiable plan for completely dismantling your nuclear weapons program or Washington will further tighten the economic noose. The Obama administration is moving forward with full implementation of the Menendez-Kirk Central Bank sanctions, and the U.S. Congress is ready with additional measures, such as sanctions on the National Iranian Oil Company and Iranian energy joint ventures that will further isolate the regime.…”