Political Quotes

“This week, Congress is considering two pieces of legislation relating to Iran. The first undermines a diplomatic solution with Iran and lowers the bar for war. The second authorizes a war of choice against Iran and begins military preparations for it. With respect to H. Res. 568, which eliminates the most viable alternative to war, the House is expected to vote on this. I would urge Members to read the resolution because section 6 rejects any U.S. policy that would rely on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons capable Iran. Section 7 urges the President to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with a nuclear weapons capability, and opposition to any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to Iranian enrichment. This language represents a significant shift in U.S. policy, and would guarantee that talks with Iran currently scheduled for May 23 would fail. Current U.S. policy is that Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons. Instead, H. Res. 568 draws the red line for military action at Iran achieving a nuclear weapons capability--capability--a nebulous and undefined term that would include a civilian nuclear program. Indeed, it's likely that a negotiated deal to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and to prevent war would provide for uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes under the framework of the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons treaty, with strict safeguards and inspections. This language in this bill makes such a negotiated settlement impossible.…”