Senator Bob Corker released the following statement regarding Thursday’s announcement that P5-plus-one nations have reached a political framework agreement with Iran.
“A nuclear-armed Iran would lead to a less safe and less secure world, which is why the stakes are so high in the pursuit of a strong agreement that is fully enforceable, verifiable and is in our national security interests,” said Senator Corker.
“It is important that we wait to see the specific details of today’s announcement, and as the P5-plus-one works toward any final deal, we must remain clear-eyed regarding Iran’s continued resistance to concessions, long history of covert nuclear weapons-related activities, support of terrorism, and its current role in destabilizing the region. If a final agreement is reached, the American people, through their elected representatives, must have the opportunity to weigh in to ensure the deal truly can eliminate the threat of Iran’s nuclear program and hold the regime accountable. Rather than bypass Congress and head straight to the U.N. Security Council as planned, the administration first should seek the input of the American people. There is growing bipartisan support for congressional review of the nuclear deal, and I am confident of a strong vote on the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee takes it up on April 14.”
Senator Corker announced last month that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote on April 14 on his bipartisan legislation, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, which would require congressional review of a nuclear deal if one is reached by June 30.
The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 would require any final agreement with Iran to be submitted to Congress for a 60-day review period before congressionally-mandated sanctions on Iran could be waived or suspended by the president. The legislation was coauthored by Senators Corker, Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Cosponsors of the bill include Senators John McCain (R-Az.), Joe Donnelly (D-Id.), Marco Rubio (R-Fl.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Bill Nelson (D- Fl.), Jim Risch (R-Id.), Angus King (I-Me.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Susan Collins (R-Me.), Michael Bennet (D-Co.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dean Heller (R-Ne.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Ben Sasse (R-Ne.).
For text and a summary of the bill, click here.