Bill Lee: “Let me thank our ranking member for yielding me time and also for your leadership on this vital global peace and…”

“Let me thank our ranking member for yielding me time and also for your leadership on this vital global peace and national security issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 412, the rule providing for consideration of three bills surrounding the nuclear agreement negotiated by this administration and the P5+1. Make no mistake, these bills are nothing more than yet another attempt to purposefully and deliberately thwart the Iran deal. Mr. Speaker, all of us have the same goal, to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Now, as one who has been involved in many nuclear nonproliferation efforts since the 1970s, I am convinced that this deal brings us much closer to a nuclear-weapons-free Iran. I believe that the President negotiated with our P5+1 partners--while not perfect, this deal achieves that goal. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action cuts off all pathways to a bomb and ensures robust oversight and inspection. It is the best way to promote regional security and global peace, and the majority of Americans agreed. According to a recent University of Maryland poll, 55 percent said that Congress should get behind this agreement. That is why we need to be clear on the ramifications of rejecting the deal. If the United States walks away, we will be walking away alone. As United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power stated in her recent Politico op-ed: ``If we walk away, there is no diplomatic door number two. No do over.…”