On the recordDecember 12, 2013
As a Member who has consistently voted to impose sanctions on Iran, I commend Secretaries Kerry and Sherman for an excellent job in seeking to safeguard our families through tough, persistent diplomacy with Iran. We should fully support their vital efforts. Iranian hardliners may ultimately obstruct a meaningful, permanent agreement; but we should not give them a pretext for doing so. Those here who would interfere or limit these negotiations are really offering the American people only one alternative; it is called war. We have been there and done that before. Military action in Iraq cost us very dearly. It did not make us safer. Let's not repeat this deadly mistake. While difficult and uncertain, diplomacy is already eliminating chemical weapons from Syria. It represents our best hope to prevent nuclear weapons in Iran and assure the safety of our families and others around the world. ____________________
