Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander voted for a resolution introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) regarding U.S. policy toward Iran, and against a bill offered by Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to cut U.S. assistance to Egypt, Libya and Pakistan.
Senator Corker said, “I fear that President Obama’s lack of clarity on Iran may be prematurely stoking another war in the Middle East. I cosponsored and voted for Senator Graham’s resolution because it sends a strong and important signal not only to Iran but to others in the region that becoming a nuclear power is not an option.”
In regard to the Paul amendment, Senator Corker said, “I absolutely understand the sentiment and firmly believe we need to reform foreign aid in a way that leads to greater accountability, but Senator Paul’s amendment is not the answer. It is emotionally based and would have the effect of cutting off our nose to spite our face. The way the Paul amendment is drafted effectively gives terrorists the ability to determine our aid in countries around the world. If terrorists in any country that we are aiding trespass at one of our embassies or consulates, this amendment forces the aid to be withdrawn, even if the country is cooperating with us and working as an ally.”
Senator Corker said, "The purpose of foreign aid, in many cases, is to prevent unrest around the world and often prevents our men and women in uniform from having to be deployed to those countries."
He also said that aid to Egypt "provides assurance to Israel that Egypt will not break its commitments to the Camp David Accords."
Senator Alexander said, “I voted for the Graham resolution in order to make clear that U.S. policy is to prevent Iran from developing the capability of making a nuclear weapon. I voted against the Paul bill because if we withdraw from Egypt, Pakistan, and Libya, then Iran will move in, radical Islamists will be encouraged, and Americans will be in more danger.”