Dear Mrs. Farmer,
Thank you for contacting me regarding Iran. I appreciate you taking the time to write. It is an honor to serve you in the United States Senate and I hope you will continue to write with your thoughts and ideas on moving our country forward.
Concern about Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities has been growing for over a decade. In 2002, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) first discovered that Iran was engaging in a variety of nuclear activities which violated its obligations as a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The international community has since pressured Iran to discontinue these activities through both diplomacy and sanctions. Recent negotiations have been led by the six P5+1 countries, which include the United States, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom, and a Joint Plan of Action (JPA) was agreed to on November 24, 2013. This JPA, which went into effect on January 20, 2014, provides Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for Iranian commitments to halt enrichment activities and neutralize existing stockpiles of enriched uranium. The deadline for a final nuclear accord has been set for June 30, 2015.
The leaders of Iran's regime, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, need to understand that no deal with the United States will be considered permanent without the approval of the Congress which is why I joined 46 other United States Senators in signing an open letter to the leaders of Iran regarding negotiations with the United States about their nuclear program. The letter clarifies for Iranian leaders our constitutional system of government, and makes clear that any deal between President Obama and Ayatollah Khamenei that is not approved by the U.S. Congress could be easily modified or revoked in the future. In fact, Secretary Kerry in testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee admitted that the deal being negotiated is not legally binding. The American people, through their representatives in Congress, will reject any deal that does not completely eliminate the threat of a nuclear Iran. The governmental representatives of Iran will be allowed a vote on the deal, and I believe it is in the best interests of this nation to allow Congress the same opportunity that the government of Iran will be afforded.
I believe that Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and additional action may be required to stop the progression of its nuclear program. On January 27, 2015, Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced S. 269, the bi-partisan Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015. I am a cosponsor of this legislation and I also support Senator Bob Corker's (R-TN) S. 625, the bi-partisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. The Kirk-Menendez legislation would re-impose sanctions on Iran should negotiating parties fail to reach a comprehensive nuclear agreement prior to the June 30, 2015deadline and mandate new sanctions should Iran continue to deceive the international community. Senator Corker's bill would require the administration to submit any potential agreement with Iran to the U.S. Congress. On January 29, 2015, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs advanced the Kirk-Menendez legislation by a vote of 18-4.
There is no doubt that a nuclear-armed Iran would destabilize an already volatile region and directly threaten our close allies, such as Israel, as well as U.S. national security, immediately creating a nuclear trip-wire in the Middle East. Ever since its statehood, Israel has been a shining light for democracy in a politically unstable region. Iran's regime, however, refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist and has repeatedly said that it plans to "wipe Israel off the map." A nuclear-armed Iran is an existential threat to Israel. It is imperative that we do everything we can to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and from becoming nuclear-capable. We must also continue to provide all the support we can toward Israel. Standing by Israel is one of my top priorities in Congress.
Rest assured, I am closely monitoring the situation in Iran and will keep your concerns in mind should Congressional action be taken on this issue. Again, thank you for contacting me, and do not hesitate to do so again when an issue is important to you.
Sincerely,
Cory Gardner
United States Senator
I watched the Senate hearing where Secretary Kerry testified. He didn't "admit" anything. He stated a fact for the Senator. No, I will not hesitate to contact you again, and again.
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