I am deeply concerned that this latest effort is merely yet another attempt in this long-going campaign, especially by those countries, not the United States, but other countries in Europe and elsewhere that are otherwise allies of the U.S.

I have a difficult time understanding the logic that if Congress were to act and say not sanctions today, but sanctions by a date certain if negotiations were to fail, that somehow that is unreasonable.

George Mitchell, who successfully negotiated the Good Friday agreement in Belfast, talked about the importance of having a deadline for those negotiations.

I really disagree with the view that if Congress were to act and make clear what sanctions would be in the event these negotiations fail, I disagree that that would somehow be irresponsible.