Senator Bob Corker
It is hard to recall a time in history when pragmatic U.S. leadership around the world mattered more to our nation’s security and prosperity.
From the brutality of ISIS as they recruit foreign fighters, seize swaths of territory, kidnap innocent civilians, and murder Christians; to the appalling acts of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad killing his own people with barrel bombs and chlorine gas; to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unlawful invasion and occupation of Ukraine; to China’s aggressive behavior in the East and South China Seas; the challenges we face are vast.
But there is perhaps no greater geopolitical issue facing the world today than preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.
A nuclear Iran is a threat to every nation and would lead to a less safe and secure world. It also could create a dangerous arms race with the possibility of a nuclear weapon falling into the hands of terrorists. That is why the stakes are high as the United States and other world powers negotiate to try to dismantle Iran’s nuclear weapons capability.
Any agreement with Iran will affect generations to come, which is why I am determined to ensure the American people – through their elected representatives in Congress – are given a voice on this consequential decision.
It has been disappointing to see President Obama and his administration try to bypass the American people and go straight to the United Nations Security Council after stating any deal with Iran must pass muster with Congress.
But this week – in a show of bipartisanship that is all too rare today in Washington – Republicans and Democrats in the Senate pushed back and sent a strong message to an administration notorious for its overreach.
On Thursday, with an overwhelming vote of 98 to 1, the Senate passed the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, a bill I introduced with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to restrict President Obama’s free hand and give the American people the voice this administration has tried so desperately to silence. Without this bill, the president would be able to immediately waive sanctions imposed by Congress and unilaterally implement an agreement with Iran.
The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act does three things:
First, it ensures transparency. The bill requires the president to submit to Congress the text and all details of any nuclear agreement with Iran, if one is reached.
Second, it provides oversight. The bill prohibits the administration from suspending congressional sanctions for a period of time so Congress will have the opportunity to hold hearings before the American people. And while it will be a heavy lift, the bill ensures Congress has the chance, if it chooses, to pass a resolution of approval or disapproval of the agreement.
Third, it holds Iran accountable. The bill requires the president to certify to Congress every 90 days that Iran is complying with an agreement. Should Iran cheat, the bill enables Congress to immediately reimpose sanctions.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration, where I hope it will receive swift action.
When it comes to foreign policy, I firmly believe that partisanship should stop at our water’s edge, which is why we have worked hard to keep our bipartisan bill focused on the appropriate role for Congress.
A strong, negotiated agreement that will stand the test of time and stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is the preferred outcome. But as the major world powers work toward a final agreement, it is important our negotiators remain clear-eyed. The sooner we enact this bill, the sooner we can send a clear signal to Iran that Congress will play a role, which will give our negotiators an even stronger hand at the table and slow the administration from rushing headlong into a bad deal.
When consequential decisions are made – decisions that will affect the type of world we leave behind to our children and grandchildren – your voice must be heard. With this bill, it will be.
Bob Corker is a U.S. senator for Tennessee and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
* * *
Dear Senator Corker,
I, for one, am deeply appreciative of your service.
In a Congress where a number of members seem all too ready to pander to the shrillest voices on America's fringe right wing - Tea Party kooks and wackadoodle, Christian fundamentalists - thereby plunging us "Guns of August" style into a third world war, it gives me great comfort to know that you are at the helm of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
It is my earnest prayer that you, along with Secretary Kerry and President Obama, will be successful in helping us navigate these most treacherous international waters.
Kimberly Groves
McDonald, Tn.