John Cornyn: “I would also ask the distinguished majority whip whether he is aware of the testimony within the last couple of weeks…”

“I would also ask the distinguished majority whip whether he is aware of the testimony within the last couple of weeks before the Armed Services Committee of Secretary Panetta and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The testimony focused a lot of attention on Iran, the principal state sponsor of international terrorism in the world today, and its destabilizing influence in the Middle East. Iran is seeking, as they are, a nuclear weapon which would at the very least create a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and a consequential destabilizing effect in that region. I know the Senator is aware that Syria is one of the principal proxies for Iran. General Dempsey and Secretary Panetta both said if Syria were to go by the wayside, as various other countries have in the Arab spring, that it would be a serious blow to Iran's aspirations for hegemony in the Middle East and something that is dangerous to the peace and stability of that important region. I know the Senator is aware of the close relationship between Syria and Iran, and I wonder if the Senator cares to comment on that connection.”