S6544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 he filed cloture on the debate. By re- NUCLEAR AGREEMENT WITH IRAN The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under jecting our offer, the Republican leader Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, just the previous order, the time until 3:45 has made the cloture vote the decisive a few short months ago, Senators of p.m. will be equally divided between and definitive vote on this issue. That both parties came together to pass a the two leaders or their designees. is why I once again will put forward bipartisan bill based on an important The Senator from Virginia. Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask my consent to skip cloture and all pro- principle: that the American people unanimous consent to speak as in cedural votes and move to a vote on through the Congress they elect de- final passage. morning business for up to 5 minutes. serve a say on one of the most impor- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Every Senator in this body should tant issues of our time. We rallied objection, it is so ordered. understand that if they are forced to around that principle, voting 98 to 1 to Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I un- vote on cloture, it is because Senator ensure the American people would have derstand we are moving back to the in- MCCONNELL, not Democrats, wanted a real say on any deal with Iran. What credibly important debate on Iran. I them to. The idea that Democrats are a tragedy it would be, then, if at the will come back and address that a lit- somehow trying to stop debate or keep- very last moment some of those same tle bit later. ing us from a final vote is foolish. It is Senators decided to filibuster to pre- REMEMBERING ALISON PARKER AND ADAM WARD simply untrue. vent the American people from having AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO VICKI GARDNER Let’s be clear. Let’s be clear who is a real say on this incredibly important Mr. President, it is with a heavy moving to end debate. It is the Repub- issue. heart that I rise today to pay tribute lican leader who is moving to end de- I know some of our colleagues are to the victims of another horrific act of bate, not me, not us. It is the Repub- currently under immense pressure to gun violence. lican leader who filed a procedural mo- shut down the voice of the people. But On August 26, a gunman opened fire tion last night and today. I would ask colleagues to reflect on the during a live television interview at What Democrats are offering is an gravely serious nature of the issue be- Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. By opportunity to continue debate and fore us. I would ask colleagues to con- now, I think everyone in this Chamber move straight to a vote on final pas- sider the expectations they set with and all across the country saw that sage. This is exactly what we have their constituents when they voted for event on live television. The gunfire done on many policy issues in the past the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review killed WDBJ News 7 reporter Alison because of Republican demands. In Act. I would ask colleagues to consider Parker, News 7 photographer Adam fact, since 2007 the Senate has regu- something else as well. This is a deal Ward, and the shooting severely larly held votes on passage at a 60-vote that will far outlast one administra- wounded Vicki Gardner, a local cham- threshold on policy and national secu- tion. The President may have the lux- ber of commerce official who was being rity issues—for example, on national ury of vacating office in a few months, interviewed. I know my colleague Sen- security issues such as Iraq policy reso- but many of our responsibilities extend ator KAINE has already spoken on this, lutions; the Foreign Intelligence Sur- beyond that time. The American people but I speak for everyone in the Com- veillance Act, or FISA; United States- will remember. They will remember monwealth when I say our hearts go India nuclear cooperation; foreign aid where we stand today. Let’s stand on out to the Parker family and the Ward prohibition for Pakistan, Egypt, Libya; their side. family. We are all pleased to hear that FISA reauthorization; terrorism risk f Vicki Gardner was released from the hospital on Monday, and she is on the insurance, or TRIA. These are just a RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME few of the many votes we have taken at road to recovery. the 60-vote threshold demanded by our The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under So Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia Republican friends. the previous order, the leadership time is now added to the all-too-familiar, is reserved. heartbreaking litany—Charleston, Au- Actions speak louder than words. rora, Sandy Hook, Tucson, and Vir- Democrats acted to get this bill to the f ginia Tech. It became clear in the days floor and debate it. Democrats are HIRE MORE HEROES ACT OF 2015 following the 26th that Alison Parker ready to vote on final passage. But if The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under and Adam Ward represented the best of we are forced to vote on cloture, all the previous order, the Senate will re- their community. The outpouring of Senators should understand that the sume consideration of H.J. Res. 61, love and support for them and their cloture vote would then become the de- which the clerk will report. families was remarkable. I had a num- fining vote that determines whether The legislative clerk read as follows: ber of conversations with Alison’s fa- the resolution of disapproval moves A joint resolution (H.J. Res. 61) amending ther Andy, whom I knew from local forward to the President’s desk. A vote the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt government, and I will be meeting with against cloture is a vote for the Iran employees with health coverage under him later today. Vicki Gardner, who agreement, plain and simple. TRICARE or the Veterans Administration was released from the hospital, will from being taken into account for purposes Mr. President, may I have the con- soon, hopefully, be getting back to her sent agreement restated? I think I un- of determining the employers to which the employer mandate applies under the Patient job at the chamber of commerce. derstand it, but basically we would Protection and Affordable Care Act. We feel—particularly those of us in have a cloture vote and move imme- Pending: Virginia—as if we knew Alison, Adam, diately to a vote? No, just a cloture and Vicki because the crime com- vote. I am sorry. McConnell amendment No. 2640, of a per- fecting nature. mitted against them was so horrible The question before the body—and McConnell amendment No. 2641 (to amend- and the details were reported so wide- they are waiting for me to respond—is, ment No. 2640), to change the enactment ly. we would have a cloture vote on this date. How many more parents must lose matter because the leader has objected McConnell amendment No. 2642 (to amend- their children to gun violence? How to my consent request, and we would ment No. 2641), of a perfecting nature. many more anxious families must McConnell amendment No. 2643 (to the lan- maintain a lonely vigil at the hospital have it at 3:45 p.m. today. guage proposed to be stricken by amendment The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is No. 2640), to change the enactment date. before all of us here in Congress move the Chair’s understanding. McConnell amendment No. 2644 (to amend- on commonsense gun legislation? More than 30,000 people are killed by Is there objection? ment No. 2643), of a perfecting nature. McConnell motion to commit the joint res- firearms in this country every year. Mr. REID. Please wait. Staff is con- olution to the Committee on Foreign Rela- The last time Congress meaningfully ferring here. tions, with instructions, McConnell amend- engaged in a debate about gun reform No objection. ment No. 2645, to change the enactment date. was more than 2 years ago, after Sandy The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without McConnell amendment No. 2646 (to (the in- structions) amendment No. 2645), of a per- Hook. Even after the horrific loss of 20 objection, it is so ordered. fecting nature. children and 6 adults in Newtown at The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- McConnell amendment No. 2647 (to amend- Sandy Hook, the Senate was still un- jority leader. ment No. 2646), of a perfecting nature. able to pass responsible, commonsense

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.002 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6545 reforms, such as closing the gun show all too familiar. These tragic events The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- loophole. Since Sandy Hook, there are not isolated in any one part of the ator from Utah. have been at least 136 school shootings country—Charleston, Aurora, Tucson, Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I have in America. That is an average of one Roanoke. Each of them breaks our been a Member of this body for nearly every week. hearts. We should not and cannot sim- four decades. During that time, I have Probably like most of us, there are a ply acknowledge and accept them as had the honor of participating in nu- lot of meetings we take in the Senate the status quo. We must not be con- merous debates that shaped the course that kind of blur before our eyes. I will tent, and we must recognize that Con- of our future, but I can think of none never forget the meeting with the New- gress, those of us in this body, have an more important than the one in which town families after that tragedy. I ability to act. Thoughts and prayers we are now engaged. would have thought and would have ex- for victims are not enough; we need to The Iranian regime is one of our pected with their grief that these fami- take responsible action. We can debate most dangerous foes. It has declared lies would have come in and asked for and should debate how far reform the United States to be the ‘‘Great a whole array of legislative solutions, measures should go, but at the very Satan.’’ It has repeatedly claimed its but they didn’t. The families I met least, we should look at a way to renew intent to ‘‘wipe Israel off the map.’’ It with came in and simply had one very a push for more meaningful back- has perpetrated violence against Amer- reasonable, commonsense request of ground checks. We must do more to ican servicemen and civilians alike. It Congress: universal background checks make sure criminals and those who are has sewn conflict across the most vola- to keep guns out of the hands of crimi- dangerously mentally ill cannot pur- tile region of the world. And it has re- nals and those with serious mental ill- chase guns. We must work together to pressed its people by some of the most ness. Let me acknowledge that won’t make sure local and State governments ghastly methods imaginable. prevent every shooting. It is not a have the resources and place an appro- Indeed, we should remember through- magical fix for violent, disturbed peo- priate priority on inputting the correct out this debate that our quarrel is not ple who are determined to do harm, but data into the national background with the Iranian people. The Iranian it is a start at tackling the epidemic of check system. people are our friends. We should re- gun violence. As recently as the end of June, Sen- member throughout our plight and I am a supporter of the Second ators TOOMEY and MANCHIN indicated their desire for a cooperative relation- Amendment—for many years I had an they were considering ways to renew ship with the United States and the ‘‘A’’ rating from the NRA—but I be- their efforts at meaningful background rest of the world. Instead, it is the dic- lieve background checks do not in- checks. I want to state clearly today tatorial and fanatical regime that fringe on the Second Amendment. As a that they will have my full support in seeks to build and even use nuclear matter of fact, gun owners understand this effort. I call on my colleagues to weapons, to destabilize the entire re- this. In fact, a greater proportion of work with us to get legislation expand- gion, and to kill Americans and gun owners support requiring back- ing meaningful background checks to Israelis. Given the threat posed by this ground checks for all gun sales than do the floor of the Senate before the end rogue regime, preventing Iran from ac- non-gun owners. In a recent survey, 85 of this year. I can think of no better quiring a nuclear weapons capability is percent of gun owners and 83 percent of way to honor the lives of Alison Parker absolutely critical. It is a goal shared non-gun owners—so gun owners more and Adam Ward and the thousands of across party lines as well as among than non-gun owners—supported re- other American families touched by many of our friends and allies abroad. quiring background checks for all gun gun violence. All of us here prefer to prevent Iran sales. I yield the floor. from acquiring this capability by diplo- Reasonable people can disagree about The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. matic means if possible rather than by what additional steps might need to be ROUNDS). The Senator from Mississippi. armed conflict. In light of this shared taken, but the facts are not up for de- Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I in- desire to resolve the Iranian threat bate. Background checks do work, and tend to support the resolution of dis- without a war, I examined the Obama they keep guns out of the hands of approval of the comprehensive plan of administration’s proposed agreement those who shouldn’t have them. action negotiated by the Obama admin- hopeful, if skeptical, that I could sup- According to the Bureau of Justice istration with the Islamic Republic of port the agreement. Nevertheless, the Statistics, the Brady law has blocked Iran. The agreement falls woefully duty incumbent upon us as Senators is almost 2.4 million gun purchases since short of the international goal to im- not to accept or reject this deal based its enactment in 1994. Almost 200,000 prove global security by stopping upon knee-jerk reactions or blind par- purchases were blocked in the most re- Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. tisan loyalty but rather to determine cent year in which we have records. The American people and Congress our stances based on thorough exam- But, as we know, background checks were promised an inspections regime ination and reasoned judgment. aren’t performed on every purchase. In providing anywhere, anytime access to Regrettably, after much study, I fact, a significant number of transfers facilities where tests were conducted. have concluded that this is a cata- are done with no check whatsoever to Instead, Iran can delay access to facili- strophically bad deal that I must determine whether a prospective buyer ties for up to 24 days. This is incon- strongly oppose. can legally possess a gun. sistent with the Obama administra- Now, at the outset, I should note that There is no reason why we shouldn’t tion’s claims that no part of this agree- the media is reporting that President have a comprehensive background ment is based on trusting Iran at its Obama has gathered the votes to sup- check system on all firearms sales. The word. A credible agreement would in- port his Iran deal. In reality, he has Senate came close to making progress clude stronger verification measures to done no such thing. Were this a treaty, on this in the weeks following Sandy ensure that the Iranians play by the it would fall well short of the two- Hook. I want to particularly cite two rules, particularly given that govern- thirds requirement. It won’t—and it colleagues, Senator MANCHIN and Sen- ment’s well-documented efforts to con- can’t—even muster a majority in ei- ator TOOMEY, who both have strong ceal its nuclear activities and ambi- ther the House or Senate. There is records of support for the Second tions. nothing bipartisan about support for Amendment, who introduced and We are also concerned about the con- this deal. Only the opposition is bipar- fought for bipartisan legislation that sequence of lifting the economic sanc- tisan, and only the opposition is a ma- would have expanded background tions that forced Iran to the negoti- jority. The deal lacks the most impor- checks for many private gun sales, ating table. This agreement is an issue tant kind of support—that of the while still allowing families to appro- of long-term significance. Our country American people. A strong majority of priately transfer firearms within their and our allies will be forced to deal Americans oppose this deal, and they family. However, this responsible and with the repercussions of a strength- are right to do so. commonsense proposal fell short. ened Iran for the foreseeable future. Far from blocking the Iranian re- The cycle of tragedy followed by out- This agreement is a bad deal for us and gime’s path to nuclear weapons capa- rage followed by inaction has become our allies, and I will not support it. bility, this agreement actually secures

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.004 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6546 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 what Mark Dubowitz, the executive di- point, hardly an encouraging develop- people whose true spirit has been con- rector of the Foundation for Defense of ment. tinually repressed for almost 40 years, Democracies, calls a ‘‘patient path- Moreover, press accounts of an IAEA a people who have paid a high price be- way’’ to nuclear weapons capability. side deal with Iran indicate that the cause of the radical fundamentalism of Consider the timeline. From day one, international watchdog has already their leaders, and a people who look to the Iranian regime will be allowed to agreed to rely on the Iranian regime to us for strength in the defense of our enrich uranium using thousands of cen- conduct its own inspections at the ideals, not capitulation to this heinous trifuges and to conduct nuclear re- Parchin weapons testing site, providing regime? search and development. After 8 years, the IAEA with only photographs, vid- Unfortunately, we cannot expect the regime will be allowed to begin eos, and environmental samples. such an outcome. If history is any building hundreds of new advanced cen- Former IAEA Deputy Director General guide, we should expect the Iranian re- trifuges annually and will be allowed Heinonen may have put it best when he gime to use sanctions relief to pursue to expand its ballistic missile program. observed: its dangerous aims, including: to sup- After 15 years, it will be permitted to If the reporting is accurate, these proce- port its terrorist proxies that represent use advanced centrifuges to enrich ura- dures appear to be departing significantly a dire threat to the stability of the nium on an industrial scale, to stock- from well-established and proven safeguards whole region, such as Hamas in Gaza, pile significant quantities of enriched practices. At a broader level, if verification Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in standards have been diluted for Parchin or uranium, and to build heavy water re- elsewhere and limits imposed, the ramifica- Yemen, and the murderous Assad re- actors, according to the State Depart- tion is significant as it will affect the IAEA’s gime in Syria; to encourage the ment’s own fact sheet. After only 10 ability to draw definitive conclusions with ‘‘swarming of [foreign] businesses to years, Iran’s breakout time to rush for the requisite level of assurances and without Iran,’’ which the Iranian foreign min- a nuclear weapon drops ‘‘almost down undue hampering of the verification process. ister believes will make it ‘‘impossible to zero,’’ as President Obama himself Regarding these troubling reports, I to reconstruct’’ broad international admitted. have a number of outstanding ques- sanctions; to take advantage of the In the words of former Deputy Na- tions and concerns that have only been lifting of the U.N. arms embargo after tional Security Advisor Juan Zarate, amplified by the Obama administra- 5 years to purchase sophisticated weap- this deal ‘‘stalls, [then] enables, and tion’s steadfast refusal to share the ons systems such as the Russian S–300 then validates an Iranian nuclear pro- text of the agreement with Congress. air defense system, which would make gram.’’ All that the Iranian regime has This intransigence amounts to an eva- American or Israeli military action to do is abide by the terms of the sion of the spirit and possibly the text against the Iranian nuclear program agreement to achieve threshold nu- of the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agree- even more difficult than it already clear status—with an expanded infra- ment Review Act, a development that would be; and to shore up the political structure for the production of nuclear rightfully sows doubt and concern and financial standing of the most rad- materials and a visible means of deliv- about what else the Obama administra- ical elements of the Iranian regime, re- ering a nuclear weapon to targets as tion might be hiding. ducing the likelihood of internal re- far away as the United States. In light of these incredible conces- form and a more constructive Iranian Moreover, the deal’s means of sions to the Iranian regime, I am also foreign policy. verifying the Iranian regime’s compli- deeply troubled by the great benefit If the Iranian regime suddenly be- ance with these temporary limits on the Iranian regime stands to enjoy comes flush with cash, what incentive its nuclear programs are, frankly, pa- from this deal. To use the succinct will it have to change priorities 15 thetic. Our only peaceful means of re- words of one scholar, ‘‘President years from now? course under the deal, the so-called Obama is agreeing to dismantle the Doesn’t this deal reward what the snapback mechanism, involves an in- sanctions regime permanently. In re- Obama administration called ‘‘bad be- credibly cumbersome process. turn, Tehran is agreeing to slow the de- havior’’ in one of the most astonishing It allows the Iranian regime to delay velopment of its nuclear program tem- understatements that I have ever international inspections for up to 24 porarily.’’ heard? days without recourse, a critical gap The current sanctions regime has im- And in the words of one expert, that experts such as former Inter- posed heavy costs on the Iranian econ- ‘‘when in the course of human history national Atomic Energy Agency Dep- omy. Oil exports have dropped by 60 did getting $100 billion [or $150 billion] uty Director General for Safeguards percent. The inflation rate has risen to at the stroke of a pen ever convince Olli Heinonen and former National Nu- 40 percent. And foreign companies, de- anyone that they have been wrong all clear Security Administration Deputy terred by harsh penalties, have avoided along?’’ Administrator for Defense William investing in Iran, thereby isolating For a deal built on the unfounded Tobey assert could allow Iran to hide Iran from the global economy. Along hope that the Iranian regime would evidence of illicit nuclear activities. with the threat of military action, change its ways, I see very little reason Other parties’ intransigence could these sanctions played a critical role in to expect success. And for an agree- also drag out the snapback mechanism bringing the Iranian regime to the ne- ment that would supposedly reinforce more than 2 months before reimposing gotiating table, and we should thus be the position of the Iranian moderates U.N. sanctions, approximately the very careful before sacrificing this le- and bring relief to the Iranian people, I same length of time as Iran’s current verage. see only the prospect of strengthening breakout timetable, according to In exchange for these minimal, tem- the hand of the hard-liners and of sanc- President Obama. porary concessions, the Iranian regime tions relief diverted for more violent Furthermore, the deal only makes stands to reap enormous rewards in misadventures, rather than for the ben- the snapback mechanism available for sanctions relief. According to figures efit of the Iranian people. instances of ‘‘significant nonperform- cited by President Obama, the Iranian Reflecting on this spectacularly bad ance,’’ leaving no mechanism to re- regime will regain control of more than deal, I can only conclude that Obama spond to the kind of incremental cheat- $150 billion currently frozen in the administration officials proved to be ing that has characterized the Iranian world’s financial institutions. Sanc- weak negotiators because of an abso- nuclear program thus far. tions relief will also allow an influx of lute desperation for a deal—almost any Perhaps most troubling, it remains international businesses into Iran, deal. These massive concessions to the unclear whether weapons inspectors bringing about greater revenue for the Iranian regime for so little in return will even have access to all Iranian nu- regime. were produced by this administration’s clear facilities in the first place. Senior Where should we expect this money knee-jerk aversion to the prospect of officials of the Iranian regime have re- to be spent? Will it go to the long-suf- using military force, a preoccupation peatedly claimed that the deal does not fering Iranian people who are the vic- demonstrated by the constant rhetoric allow access to military sites. The tims of this regime, a people who have that we hear from the White House agreement’s language appears to have long contributed to the advancement of that the only alternative to this deal is been left deliberately vague on this civilization and the good of mankind, a war.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.018 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6547 That claim is patently false. We can the strong desire for peace we all share Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I just and should go back to the negotiating cloud our judgment about how we best want to make sure people understand table. While reassembling the sanc- preserve that peace. what we are trying to do here this tions coalition that this agreement In this solemn debate, it is my hope morning. Our Democratic colleagues throws away will not be easy and may that the voice of reason will have the are filibustering an attempt to have a not even be fully possible, a nation as power to change minds and overcome debate and an up-or-down vote on the strong as ours still has plenty of tools the pressures of our politics that have most consequential foreign policy deci- at our disposal. Our unparalleled eco- the power to lead us astray. I am en- sion in modern history. That is what nomic and military might give us sig- couraged in my hope by the fact that you are doing. nificant leverage to get a better deal, almost every Member to come out in Senator CORKER, in good faith, got us and we should not be misled by overly support of this deal has noted its sig- here in a bipartisan manner. And Sen- simplistic rhetoric to conclude other- nificant flaws. The opposition to it has ator REID has come out of nowhere to wise. been unambiguous, strong, and bipar- change what was the common under- War is never a happy matter to con- tisan, and it constitutes a strong ma- standing of how we would proceed—get template, especially from a position of jority in both the House of Representa- 60 votes, a simple majority, and let the responsibility such as in the Senate. In tives and the Senate. I want to pay President act as he wishes. this body, we are saddled all too often tribute to four of my colleagues on the But, no, we couldn’t do that. They with the sorts of decisions in which other side of the aisle who have bucked are more worried about protecting real people’s lives hang in the balance: significant political pressure to vote Barack Obama from having to veto this those of our friends and neighbors; our their consciences against this bad deal. than they are about having a debate on fellow countrymen; our soldiers, sail- We still have a chance to change the floor of the Senate. ors, airmen, and marines; and even course. All that is required is the brav- Now, let me tell you a little about those in faraway distant places who ery and good judgment to lead our Na- who you are dealing with here, folks. If look to America as a guardian of free- tion and the world to an agreement I hear one more comment from my dom and peace, what Abraham Lincoln that can actually preserve the long- Democratic friends about how much called the last, best hope of Earth. term peace. I urge all of my colleagues they love Israel—with friends like this, None of us relish the prospect of war, to join me in opposing this disastrous you don’t need an enemy. This is who especially in an age in which our weap- deal and in supporting a better way you are dealing with. This was yester- ons have a power almost too terrible to forward. day: contemplate. In particular, neither I I yield the floor. Iran’s supreme leader predicted Wednesday nor any of my colleagues seek a war The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- that Israel would not exist in 25 years, and with Iran; as I stated before, the Ira- ator from Tennessee. ruled out any new negotiations with the nian people are not our enemies. They Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, first, I ‘‘Satan,’’ the United States, beyond the re- are our friends. No people have paid a thank our honored President pro tem- cently completed nuclear accord. higher price for the regime’s record of pore for his outstanding comments. In remarks published Wednesday on his terrorism, mass murder, corruption, But while my distinguished friend personal website— and duplicity than the Iranians. The from Illinois is on the floor, I thought At least the Ayatollah has gotten prospect of inflicting collateral damage I would walk through a unanimous into modern times— on our long-suffering friends further consent request, if that is OK. I think and in posts on Twitter, the supreme lead- counsels against any course of action it has been cleared with him. er— Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- that leads to war. Do you know why they call him the sent that the time be further divided as It is not a cavalier attitude about Supreme Leader? Because he is— follows: from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. would war that leads me to oppose this deal; Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded to what it is my unwavering judgment that this be Republican time, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. would be Democratic time, from he said were claims that Israel would be safe deal makes war much more likely that for that period. . . . leads me to oppose it. 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. would be Republican time, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. would be Where did those claims come from? It Let there be no doubt. A deal that came from this administration, my col- paves rather than precludes Iran’s path Democratic time, from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. would be Republican time, from leagues on the other side. You are tell- to a nuclear weapons capability makes ing the world that this is the best deal war more likely. A deal that makes the 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. would be Democratic time, from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. it be for Israel. Guess what. Nobody in Israel Iranian regime more confident of its who is in the current government ability to protect its nuclear program equally divided between the leaders or their designees, and that Senator agrees with you. It is just not Bibi. Ev- from international pressure and mili- erybody who is in the current coalition tary action makes war more likely. A MENENDEZ be given 15 minutes of the Republican time and 15 minutes of the government understands this is not a deal that funnels tens of billions of dol- good deal for Israel. lars to terrorists bent on destabilizing Democrat time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Why don’t you listen to them? You the Middle East makes war more like- want it to be a good deal for Israel. ly. A deal that provokes a nuclear arms objection? Mr. DURBIN. If I might ask the Sen- Well, it is not, and your wanting it race in the most volatile region on the ator from Tennessee to clarify, would doesn’t change it. globe makes war more likely. A deal the last part of his request relate to So let’s finish what he said. that surrounds Israel not only with a the period between 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.? [The Ayatollah] responded to what he said nuclear Iran but also eventually with Mr. CORKER. Yes, that is correct. were claims that Israel would be safe for numerous other regimes with nuclear Mr. DURBIN. I have no objection. that period under the nuclear agreement weapons capability and a genocidal at- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without reached in July. titude toward the Jewish State makes objection, it is so ordered. ‘‘After nuclear negotiations, the Zionist war more likely. And a deal that puts Mr. CORKER. Thank you. regime said that they will not be worried the Iranian regime and its terrorist al- Mr. President, so our side knows about Iran in the next 25 years.’’ lies one turn of a screwdriver away what will occur between now and the I repeat. from a nuclear weapon and a means of end of our time, the next 15 minutes ‘‘After nuclear negotiations, the Zionist delivering it anywhere across the world will be for Senator GRAHAM, then 10 regime said that they will not be worried makes war more likely. minutes to Senator BARRASSO, and about Iran in the next 25 years.’’ War may come, but it is not inevi- then 10 minutes to Senator FLAKE. Israel didn’t say that. People over table. As Members of ‘‘the world’s With that, I yield the floor to one of here said that. greatest deliberative body,’’ it is our the best national security voices in the The Ayatollah wrote: duty to discern the wisest course of ac- United States of America, Senator ‘‘I am telling you, first, you will not be tion that preserves the security of the GRAHAM of South Carolina. around in 25 years’ time, and God willing, United States and our allies—that re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- there will be no Zionist regime in 25 years. duces the risk of war but does not let ator from South Carolina. Second, during this period, the spirit of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.020 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6548 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 fighting, heroism and jihad will keep you get weapons to kill 3 million of us. If To our friends in Russia, John Kerry worried every moment.’’ you let this deal go forward, before too said one of the big benefits of this deal Clearly, somebody who is on the long the most radical regime on the is that we will bring Russia in and Iran course of change, somebody we should planet will have the most lethal weap- will be a better partner in the Mideast, give $100 billion to, create a pathway to ons available to mankind. They will and we will have a major breakthrough a nuclear bomb in 15 years and let him share that technology with terrorists where Iran begins to help us with prob- buy more weapons in 5 years and build and they will come here. Why do they lems like Syria. Well, here is Russia’s an intercontinental ballistic missile in need an ICBM, folks? What are they response, before you vote. They are 8 years—clearly, this is the man who going to do with it? They are not going sending Russian troops—maybe fighter has changed course and you have em- to send people to space. What are you planes—into Syria to prop up Assad be- powered him. thinking? What are you all thinking fore you vote. They are taking every- At least—at least—Chamberlain can over there? You are taking the most thing John Kerry said about what say Hitler lied. At least Chamberlain radical regime on the planet, a theoc- would happen if you do this deal and can say: I negotiated with the Fuhrer. racy—this is not a democracy. The rubbing it in his face. He told me to my face: If you give me moderates were shot down in the Tell me how you fix Syria with Assad this, I am done. streets. They were begging: Are you in power? What the Russians are doing Well, we all know Chamberlain was a with us or are you with him, President is ensuring he will stay in power chump, and Hitler actually meant what Obama? longer, and the longer he stays in he said when he wrote a book. President Obama is absolutely the power, the more refugees the world will The question is, Does this man mean poorest champion of freedom and the have to deal with and the more Hell on what he says when he tweets yesterday weakest opponent of evil in history. Earth will occur in Syria. that the ink is not dry on the deal? Evil is flourishing on his watch. Presi- The Syrian people want two things; The one thing you can say about the dent Obama said you would have to be they want to destroy ISIL and they old Ayatollah—who is crazy, who is a crazy not to support this deal. Let’s want Assad gone because he has de- religious Nazi—is that at least he is walk through whether we should follow stroyed their families. So Secretary honest. He doesn’t want you to be con- his advice about radical Islam. Kerry, how well is this working, with fused as you vote as to what he wants This is the President who was told to this new engagement of Iran and Rus- to do to your friend Israel. See, he leave troops in Iraq to make sure our sia. Things are really changing. Look doesn’t want you to misstate what this gains would be maintained, and he at the tweet yesterday. What are you deal means to him. You obviously are pulled everybody out because he want- going to tell the American people this writing him off. You obviously believe ed to get to zero. He turned down every means? Interpret the Ayatollah for me. he doesn’t mean it. commander’s advice to get to zero be- This is just all talk? He has to say cause he made a campaign promise. I guess he has a polling problem in these things? He doesn’t get elected. He This is the President who was told by Iran. He has to get his numbers up. He doesn’t have to worry about the next his entire national security team 3 needs to say these things—because he election. He says these things because years ago to establish a no-fly zone and doesn’t mean it. But he has to keep his he believes them. He is a religious fa- help the Free Syrian Army because people happy because they like hearing natic, compelled by his version of Assad was on the ropes, at a time when this stuff. All I can tell you is his peo- Islam to destroy everything in his reli- it would have mattered, when there ple tried to rise up against him in 2009, gion that he doesn’t agree with—to de- was a Free Syrian Army to help and and our President sat on the sidelines stroy the one and only Jewish State Assad was about to fall. Obama said: and didn’t do a damn thing. The big- and attack democracies such as ours, gest moment for change in Iran came No thanks. This is the President who drew a redline against Assad, after he and you are giving him more to do that in 2009, when young people and women with. This is, over time, a death sen- took to the streets demanding a fair backed off, and said: If you use chem- ical weapons and you cross that red- tence for Israel, if it is not changed. election that was stolen from them by If I had $100 billion to negotiate with, line, there will be a price. the Ayatollah, and his response was to Here are the facts. Assad is going to for God’s sake, could I get four people beat them, shoot them, put them in be in power and Obama is going to be out of jail? I could get people out of jail jail and torture them. This is the guy gone. The last man standing is going to here with $100 billion. Who is negoti- you are going to give $100 billion to, a be Assad. So all I can tell you is this is ating with Iran? This idea we are going clear pathway to a bomb. He doesn’t the man who said: Don’t worry about to separate all of their bad behavior even have to cheat to get there and buy ISIL. They are the JV team. I killed from their nuclear program was the more weapons to attack us. bin Laden; Al Qaeda is decimated. biggest miscalculation in modern for- At least Chamberlain lied. This man At what point in time do you realize eign policy history. is telling you what he is going to do as President Obama has no idea what he To suggest we don’t need to look at of yesterday, and between these times is talking about? At what point in time Iran as a whole unit; that we are going that negotiations have started until is it obvious to anybody in the world to ignore the fact that they have four now, has he shown us a little leg about who is paying attention that when it hostages, U.S. personnel held in sham what will change? During the negotia- comes to radical Islam he has no clue? trials, a Washington Post reporter; tions he has toppled four Arab capitals. So this is the guy we are going to that they are the largest State sponsor During the negotiations he has sup- send in to negotiate with a radical aya- of terrorism; that they destabilize the ported the Houthis in Yemen, who de- tollah—a guy who, in the eyes of the region; that they have driven our stroyed a pro-American government, world, is a complete weak defender of friends out of Yemen; that they are and we have lost eyes and ears on Al freedom and a very poor adversary of supporting Hezbollah, a mortal enemy Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula—a evil. If that is not enough, the Iranians of Israel; and that they have taken Sunni extremist group that attacked are rubbing this in John Kerry and over the Lebanese Government—we are Paris and will attack us. Barack Obama’s face by tweeting this not going to worry about all that? During the negotiations they have out hours before you vote on this deal. What do you think they are going to do done anything but be moderate. I can- Just to remind you that no matter with the $100 billion? Do you really not believe that you don’t believe him. what you say on this floor about Israel, think they are going to build roads and I cannot believe you made the biggest nothing has changed in his mind about bridges? miscalculation in modern history by Israel. When you claim Israel is safe, The best indication of the next 15 empowering a religious fanatic with he is telling you: No, they are not. But years is the last 35. When you sepa- the ability to attack our Nation, de- you are not listening because you don’t rated their nuclear ambitions from stroy our friends in Israel, and keep think he really means it. Well, I can their destructive behavior, giving them the Mideast on fire for 15 years. What tell you right now, you better be right. access to more weapons and $100 bil- are you all thinking over there? How about this idea. When it comes to lion, you made a huge mistake because All I can say is that on the last 9/11, the Ayatollah, assume the worst, not you are damning the Mideast to holy 3,000 of us died because they couldn’t the best. hell for the next 15 years, and you are

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.021 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6549 giving the largest state sponsor of ter- wondering whether America will accept 4,000, then eventually allowed more rorism more money and more weapons a flawed agreement that gives Iran al- than 6,000. When it mattered most, the to attack us—and you couldn’t get four most everything it has asked for or Obama administration wanted a deal so people out of jail. will we, as the United States of Amer- badly that it was willing to concede on The only reason they are not dancing ica, stand strong against outlaw na- point after point after point. This in Iran is the Ayatollah just doesn’t be- tions with nuclear ambitions and proves if you want a deal bad enough, lieve in dancing. I have friends over dreams. you will get a bad deal—and that is there whom I respect and admire. I As Senators prepare to vote on this what we have here today. have no idea what you are thinking. I legislation we should ask: Does this The same thing happened with bal- have no idea why you believe the Aya- agreement do enough to stop Iran’s nu- listic missiles. GEN Martin Dempsey, tollah doesn’t mean what he says, clear weapons program? Does this the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of given the way he has behaved. If they agreement do enough to protect the se- Staff of the United States military, would shoot their own children down in curity of the American people and our told the Senate Armed Services Com- the streets to keep power, what do you friends around the world? I believe the mittee, ‘‘Under no circumstances think they will do to ours? And the answer is no. It would be irresponsible should we relieve pressure on Iran rel- only reason 3,000 people died on 9/11 is to support such a weak, such a naive, ative to ballistic missile capabilities because they couldn’t get the weapons and such a dangerous deal. and arms trafficking.’’ Under no cir- to kill 3 million of us, and they are on The original goal of ending Iran’s nu- cumstances. course to do it now. clear weapons program was a good one, Defense Secretary Ash Carter also I have never been more disappointed and I wish the President had actually testified at the same hearing. Now, this in the body than I am today, a body stuck with that goal. I wish the Presi- hearing, of course, was only 6 days be- known to be the most deliberative body dent had done a better job of negoti- fore the final deal was announced by in democracy in the history of the ating with the Iranians. He did not. the President. Secretary of Defense world. Yet you will not let us have a During the negotiations this adminis- said, ‘‘We want them to continue to be vote. You will not let us have a debate. tration was far too willing to make isolated as a military and limited in Please stop saying this deal makes concessions, concessions that put our terms of the kinds of equipment and Israel safer. That is cruel. Your re- own national security at risk. materials they are able to get.’’ That sponse to this deal is to give them We were in a very strong position was 6 days before the final deal was an- more weapons because you know they during these negotiations from the nounced. are not safer. I find it a bit odd that in start, and the Obama administration So what happened? What did the response to this deal we are selling the squandered the advantage. The Presi- President of the United States sur- Arabs every kind of weapon known to dent badly wanted to strike a deal with render on? With this agreement, Iran man and we are promising Israel every Iran, and that is the problem because will have access to ballistic missile kind of weapon we have. If you truly President Obama has shown once again technology in as little as 8 years, even thought this was such a good deal, why that if you want a deal badly enough, though the Secretary of Defense said do you have to arm everybody who is you will end up with a bad deal. The no; even though the Chairman of the in the crosshairs of the Ayatollah? President fell in love with this deal, Joint Chiefs of Staff said, ‘‘Under no When they write the history of these even though it is deeply flawed. And circumstances.’’ That is when Russia times, they are going to look back and deeply flawed is a description our and other countries are going to be say that President Obama was a weak Democratic colleagues continue to able to start selling this deadly tech- opponent of evil and a poor champion make about this deal. The President nology to Iran—and I believe that Iran of freedom. They are going to look and cannot see the flaws that our col- will use it. say that the United States Senate re- leagues on the Senate floor can see be- Now, this was a last-minute demand fused to debate the most consequential cause I believe the President is blinded that Iran made, and it should have foreign policy agreement in modern by deal euphoria. He is in love with the been easy for President Obama to re- times, and the people in Israel are deal. ject it, but he did not. He surrendered. going to wonder where did America go. The agreement President Obama has The President was so desperate to get a Has it ever crossed your mind that negotiated will legitimize Iran’s nu- deal that he gave in once again. It is everybody in Israel who is in power, clear program. It will accept Iran as a always the same story with the Obama who is running the government today, nuclear threshold state. To me, this is administration: If you want a deal bad objects to this agreement? inexcusable. It is not the deal the enough, you are going to get a bad The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- President should have signed. It is not deal—and they have. When the Obama ator’s time has expired. the deal the President could have administration is negotiating with Mr. GRAHAM. Senator CORKER, signed. It is not the deal President countries that need a deal much more thank you for trying to have the de- Obama promised he would sign. than we do, the President of the United bate we need. To my Democratic President Obama once said that Iran States surrenders. friends: You own this. You own every didn’t need advanced centrifuges in This administration has no red lines ‘‘i’’ and every ‘‘t’’ and every bullet, and order to have a limited, peaceful nu- when it comes to negotiating. They you own everything that is to follow clear program, but under this agree- will give away anything to get a deal. and it is going to be holy hell. ment his administration did negotiate There have been too many concessions The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- that Iran will not eliminate a single for anyone to be comfortable with this ator from Wyoming. centrifuge. It will continue to research agreement. There are too many red Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I am more advanced centrifuges, and it can flags. President Obama cannot see the so proud of my colleague from South even start building them. defects that are obvious in this plan. Carolina for the remarkable speech he So how did it happen? How did this He refuses to see what is so clear to the just gave to this Senate about his con- happen? On the day the agreement was American people. cerns about this President’s deal with announced, the President of Iran After this agreement, Iran will be a Iran—the President’s nuclear deal with bragged—bragged—about how he had nuclear threshold state, and a military Iran. That is what the Senate is debat- gotten the Obama administration to and an industrial power. It will have ing right now—a deal President Obama surrender on this point. ‘‘To sur- the money to support terrorists around negotiated with Iran and whether that render,’’ that is the language I am the world—more money than it has had deal should stand or fall. hearing around the State of Wyoming in the past. It will have the freedom to This agreement could affect Amer- and certainly the language we are pursue its nuclear ambitions. ican foreign policy in the Middle East hearing from Iran: The President sur- Even some Democrats who have said and beyond for this generation as well rendered. they support this deal are doing so as the next. It will affect America’s re- At the beginning, the President said with great reservations. They say they lationship with our allies as well as Iran would only need 100 centrifuges. know it is not a good deal, but they with our enemies. Other countries are Then the number went to 1,000, then say: It is the only option we have. Well,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.005 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6550 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 that is not a good enough reason for occasion that this body gets to have Now, this administration has assured me to accept all of the risks and all of the opportunity to weigh in on some of me that these sanctions would be avail- the concessions that the Obama admin- the more pressing foreign policy mat- able in the future, but, unfortunately, istration allowed in this agreement. ters. When it does, the legislation it that simply does not square with the The President says: The choice is the considers often has lasting con- text of the agreement. Iran nuclear deal or war. He has said it sequences for the United States and for The question of reimposition of sanc- time and time again. It is fear the rest of the world. tions raises a further question of how mongering. It is not true. There is an Take, for example, the Taiwan Rela- this agreement might bind the hands of alternative. The Chairman of the Joint tions Act. Passed by both chambers in future Congresses and future adminis- Chiefs of Staff said so. 1979 in response to the normalization of trations. As I previously mentioned, General Dempsey was asked about relations between the United States though the JCPOA has already been that at a hearing of the Senate Armed and China, this piece of legislation re- adopted by the United Nations, it will Services Committee. In answer to the mains the cornerstone of the U.S.-Tai- never be the supreme law of the land in question: Is it this or war, the general wan relationship to this day. the United States because it is not a said, ‘‘I can tell you that we have a Likewise, this body has considered a treaty. A treaty that has been agreed range of options, and I always present number of arms limitation treaties to by at least 67 Senators gives the them’’—present them to the President. over the decades between the United treaty the critical imprimatur that in- ‘‘We have a range of options.’’ It is not States and Russia. The Strategic Arms sulates it from political winds for the just a choice between this deal or war. Reduction Treaty, or START, was ap- lifespan of the treaty. The JCPOA will It is a choice between accepting a bad proved by this body in 1992 by a vote of benefit from no such imprimatur. deal or rejecting it. If the only choice 93 to 6. START II was approved in 1996 What if, for example, a future Con- is to take this deal or leave it, then we by a vote of 87 to 4. Most recently, the gress or President wishes to reimpose must leave it. New START treaty with Russia was ap- sanctions against Iran or take some The Obama administration doesn’t proved in 2010 by a vote of 71 to 26. other action that might legitimately want us to have a vote here in the Sen- These bills address subject matter cause Iran to accuse us of violating the ate. The Obama administration knows that was highly controversial. I am JCPOA? A future Congress or President it signed a bad deal, and it wants the sure there was a fair amount of dis- could be put in the position of either whole thing to disappear from the front agreement between Democrats and Re- having to preserve an agreement that pages before it causes them any more publicans, and between the Congress neither had a hand in negotiating nor embarrassment. and the White House. But in instances taking action that would result in Iran So instead of having a full and honest likely too numerous to count, Senate walking away from its nuclear obliga- debate on the floor of the Senate, the deliberation ended with a bipartisan tions. It would be beneficial for U.S. President and the Senate Democrat vote that set the U.S. foreign policy foreign policy to steer clear of those leader are trying to hide behind a fili- into place for years, even decades, and lose-lose propositions. buster. That is not how the Senate signaled that America was speaking to The current administration has al- should handle this important resolu- the rest of the world with one voice. ready expressed reluctance to push tion to disapprove the Iran deal. Every I deeply regret the JCPOA will not back against Iran’s interpretation of Member of the Senate should be willing build on this history. Unfortunately, the agreement even before it has been to cast a vote up or down on this Iran the administration elected to negotiate implemented. I have serious concerns deal. We should stand up, we should this deal as an executive agreement that if there is reluctance to push back represent the people of our State and rather than a treaty. That was the ad- on Iran now, there will be even more this Nation, and we should cast our ministration’s call. It does mean, how- reluctance to push back on Iran’s re- votes. ever, that the administration did not gional behavior once the deal is in The Obama administration has made need to negotiate the JCPOA, mindful place. This gives Iran more leverage its arguments, and it has failed to that it would need the support of 67 than it currently has moving forward, make its case. The President has not Senators. It also means the Senate and that could have disastrous con- shown that America will be better off does not have the opportunity to offer sequences on the Middle East. These with this deal, and I believe we would so-called RUDs—reservations, under- are issues that could have been ad- be better off without it. standings, and declarations—that can dressed in a positive manner by the We have heard the administration’s accompany treaties and clarify its in- Senate if the agreement had been sub- excuses. We have heard all of the ways terpretation of the agreement. mitted as a treaty. the final deal fell short of their prom- To be sure, there are several trou- Now, when this agreement was an- ises. America can’t afford to let Iran bling aspects of this agreement that nounced, I said I would take every op- have the nuclear program that this could have been improved if the Senate portunity to learn more about it, so I agreement will allow it to obtain. We had the opportunity to consider the attended every hearing held by the should vote to disapprove the Iran deal. JCPOA as a treaty. For example, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I The President should drop his veto text of the agreement clearly states commend Chairman CORKER and Rank- threat. The President should send his that any reimposition of the sanctions ing Member CARDIN for holding these people back to the negotiating table specified in Annex II would be viewed hearings and going about this in such a because this deal poses too great a by Iran as a violation of the agreement deliberative and serious manner. I at- threat to America’s national security and would likely prompt Iran to cease tended every classified congressional for us to do anything else. abiding by its obligations under the briefing and several other briefings, Mr. President, I yield the floor. agreement. The sanctions in Annex II and had discussions with numerous ex- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- include all the influential sanctions, perts and administration officials. ator from Arizona. such as those on Iran’s Central Bank. After these discussions, these hear- Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, as we These have had a profound effect on ings, these briefings, I believe it is a continue the debate on one of the most Iran’s economy. much closer call on this agreement important foreign policy matters this In hearings and briefings by the ad- than most want to admit. There are body has addressed in some time, I ministration, I have asked whether the positive aspects on the nuclear side. would be remiss if I didn’t mention how United States could reimpose these Unfortunately, I think this deal suffers honored I am to be a part of it. powerful sanctions at some point later from significant shortcomings. It is not unusual for the Congress to down the line for other, nonnuclear-re- Hoping that Iran’s nuclear ambitions engage in debate over matters like lated behavior by the Iranian govern- might change after a 15-year sabbatical spending bills, bills to authorize var- ment to penalize Iran for regional ac- might be a bet worth making. Believ- ious Federal agencies, executive tivities or for committing acts of ter- ing that Iran’s regional behavior will branch and judicial nominations, or rorism. This regime, as we know, has change tomorrow while giving up tools other business that we routinely at- made achieving regional hegemony its to deter or modify such behavior is not tend to around here. But it is only on calling card since its inception in 1979. a bet worth taking.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.007 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6551 It is for these reasons that I reluc- forced to comply with inspections of how it turns out. But we have made a tantly oppose the JCPOA. nuclear sites on their military bases. good-faith offer twice to the Repub- I do hope that we can make up for This is a long way from ‘‘anywhere, licans to finish this important debate this unfortunately partisan vote by anytime’’ the American people were and to bring this to a 60-vote close. working together, and with the Presi- promised. Can you imagine if the EPA Every single Member of the Senate dent, to pass a regional security frame- or the FDA came knocking on a Mon- on both sides of the aisle has an- work agreement that will not only re- tana farmer or business owner’s door, nounced publicly in advance where assure Israel and our allies in the re- and they said: Well, you can’t come they stand on the issue. No one is try- gion, but solidify this agreement and inspect right now, but come back ing to avoid this tough vote, and it is throughout the duration of the JCPOA. in 24 days. That is what we have set up a challenging vote. Everyone has faced The United States is strongest when right now with the Iranian Govern- it squarely and honestly, and that is we speak with one voice on foreign pol- ment through this deal. where we should go. Senator MCCON- icy matters. Through this deal, the American peo- NELL, on the Republican side, objected BORDER JOBS FOR VETERANS ACT ple are being asked to enter into a to this. We will face a procedural vote Mr. President, yesterday, we were binding trust agreement with the at 3:45 p.m. able to pass on a bipartisan basis—in world’s leading state sponsor of terror. What is troubling is that we are in fact, unanimously—a bipartisan bill to In fact, just yesterday I looked at my disarray now in the Congress. This help put veterans back to work as Cus- Twitter feed, and the Supreme Leader statute that brings us to the floor of toms and Border Protection officers at of Iran—he is called the Supreme Lead- the U.S. Senate, the resolution of dis- understaffed U.S. ports of entry. er for a reason—Ayatollah Ali approval on the Iran agreement, passed Earlier this week, Secretary of Khamenei said: ‘‘I say that you the Senate with a vote of 98 to 1—a Homeland Security Jeh Johnson con- [Israelis] will not see the coming 25 strong bipartisan agreement that this firmed that the agency has not yet years and, God willing, there will not is how we would approach it. This is filled 1,200 of the 2,000 new CBP officer be something named the Zionist re- what Senator MCCONNELL is working positions created by Congress in 2014 to gime in [the] next 25 years.’’ And then off of, the basic statute that brings us improve security and reduce trade-sti- he went on to reiterate in calling together. But look what is happening fling commercial traffic in ports. Sec- America the Great Satan. This is across the Rotunda. Yesterday the retary Johnson has attributed these whom the United States is making this House of Representatives disassembled. shortfalls to delays associated with ap- bad nuclear deal with. It is not a mis- When they were supposed to move for- plicant background investigations. So take to push for tougher sanctions. ward procedurally to the same vote we we were able to pass legislation to The American people deserve a better are facing, they fell apart. There was a force the Department of Defense and option. Two nights ago, I had a tele- Republican caucus, and it was in dis- Department of Homeland Security to townhall meeting, calling into 100,000 array. Now they are proposing not the work together with this legislation. Montana households. Overwhelmingly, underlying statute which we are con- Now they will do so, and hopefully it by 3 to 1, Montanans opposed this deal. sidering but three brandnew, different will improve the condition of trade and As we close, let me say this: As I step approaches to this. This is no way to the backlogs we have on the border. back and look at the numbers today, if run a Congress. It is no way to address I applaud my colleagues for making we look at the Senate, it looks as if a serious foreign policy issue, one of this happen—cosponsors JOHN MCCAIN, about 69 Senators are opposed to this the more serious issues of our time. CHUCK SCHUMER, RICHARD BURR, TAMMY deal. There are 42 supporting it. Those My colleagues are here to speak. I am BALDWIN, RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, 58 who oppose it are bipartisan. The going to yield the floor to them. I have DIANNE FEINSTEIN, and others. Thank House numbers are similar in ratios. spoken from time to time, but I will you for passing this legislation. It will The point is this: There is bipartisan say this: Understand what we are try- improve the situation on the Arizona- opposition to this deal, both Democrats ing to achieve here. We are not putting Mexico border. and Republicans joining together. The a seal of approval on Iran and their I yield the floor. only support is partisan. It is a mis- conduct and their activity. That will Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, I know take to not push for a better deal that never happen. Instead, what we are the time has ended. I know that Sen- can be supported by more than one seg- saying is we have one goal in mind, ator DAINES wants to speak very brief- ment of one political party. shared by many nations around the ly. Senator DURBIN is allowing that as I yield back my time. world: to stop Iran from developing a long as we give back some time at a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nuclear weapon. That is the goal. I be- later moment. If we might have 3 min- ator from Illinois. lieve this agreement comes as close to utes. Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, so achieving that as we can hope for at Mr. DAINES. I wish to thank the that those who are following this de- this moment. Senator. I appreciate that. bate understand where we are, this I wish it were stronger and better, The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. morning the Democratic leader, Sen- but in the course of negotiation, we CAPITO). The Senator from Montana. ator HARRY REID of Nevada, for the sec- don’t always get everything we want. Mr. DAINES. Madam President, if ond time offered to the Republican side But think of what happened here. We Iran’s ultimate goal is to obtain a nu- the following: that we will bring this met in Switzerland at the table with clear weapon, the deal reached by the critically important, historic measure five other nations—China, Russia, the Obama administration sets Iran on before the U.S. Senate for an up-or- United Kingdom, Germany, and course to do so. From the time this down vote—a clean up-or-down vote— France. The European Union, I might deal is agreed to, Iran has 10 years to at a margin of 60 votes. add, joined the United States in this ef- fill their coffers with tens of billions of Sixty votes is the margin that is used fort to negotiate this agreement and dollars from newly unsanctioned oil for every major and, I might add, con- walked away. All nations involved in sales and pursue the research and de- troversial measure before the Senate. the negotiations said this is a good velopment of nuclear capabilities. As So what we are asking is not out of agreement and should move forward. In the world’s leader of state-sponsored line. In fact, the Republican side had addition to that, we have had support terrorism, it will only be a matter of supported the notion of a 60-vote mar- from the Security Council of the time before Iran achieves its ultimate gin until they didn’t have 60 votes. Now United Nations. Over 100 countries goal, and that is obtaining a nuclear they are calling for some other ap- have endorsed this. weapon. These are bipartisan concerns. proach. Yet it has been categorically rejected This deal will not prevent Iran from So here is what we face. This after- by the Republicans in both the House obtaining a nuclear weapon, and the noon at about 3:45 p.m., we will have a and the Senate. The first evidence of American people deserve a better deal. rollcall vote. It will be on the proce- their rejection was March 9 of this year This deal is stacked against trans- dural question of whether we end de- while the negotiations were underway. parency and accountability. It provides bate on one aspect of this issue. It is Forty-seven Republican Senators sent up to a 24-day delay before Iran is known as a cloture vote. We will see a letter to the Supreme Leader in Iran,

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When you consider we had Members of Congress sending a President’s farsightedness that led our only this portion of the deal, it is in- letter in the midst of negotiations tell- Nation to accelerate development of deed better to have inspections and ing the other side: Don’t pay attention the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, the sanctions snapback than nothing, but to our President; don’t pay any atten- MOP, the best military deterrent and even for this part of the agreement, the tion to our Nation. It never happened antidote to a nuclear Iran. Regardless weaknesses with both of those proc- before. So 47 of them made it clear of how one feels about the agreement, esses make this argument less compel- even before the agreement was reached all fairminded Americans should ac- ling. that they were rejecting it. That knowledge the President’s strong Second, we must evaluate how this doesn’t show good faith. That doesn’t achievements in combating and con- deal would restrict Iran’s nuclear de- show an effort to try to be objective taining Iran. velopment after 10 years. In my view, if and honest about this. I also have a great deal of respect for Iran’s true intent is to get a nuclear Here we stand today with the first the careful thought and deliberation weapon, under this agreement it sim- procedural vote this afternoon. There my colleagues went through before ply must exercise patience. After 10 are two things we want to achieve with making their final decisions. While I years, it can be very close to achieving this vote and with this agreement: No. came to a different conclusion than that goal. Iran would be stronger finan- 1, stop Iran from developing a nuclear many in my own caucus, I recognize for cially, better able to advance a robust weapon. We do that by shutting down them that this is a vote of conscience, nuclear program. Unlike its current their production facilities, by closing just as it is for me. unsanctioned pursuit of a nuclear I wish to recount my reasoning here down their centrifuges, and by sending weapon, Iran’s nuclear program would on the floor before a vote is taken. I ex- in scores of international inspectors, be codified in an agreement signed by amined this deal in three parts: nuclear who will be roaming through Iran dur- the United States and other nations. restrictions on Iran in the first 10 Finally, we must consider the non- ing the entire pendency of this agree- years, nuclear restrictions on Iran ment, looking for violations that could nuclear elements of the agreement. after 10 years, and nonnuclear compo- This aspect of the deal gives me the trigger the sanctions being returned. nents and consequences of a deal. In most pause. For years Iran has used No. 2, our goal is to bring peace and each case, I didn’t ask what is the ideal military force and terrorism to expand stability as best we can when it comes agreement. We are not in that world. I its influence in the Middle East by ac- to the nuclear issue in the Middle East, asked, are we better off with the agree- tively supporting military or terrorist particularly in support of our friend ment that we have before us or without actions in Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and ally, the nation of Israel. I think it? the President’s good-faith effort here In the fist 10 years of the deal, there Yemen, Iraq, and Gaza. Under this agreement, Iran would re- reaches that goal. are serious weaknesses in the agree- ceive at least $50 billion in the future I support this, and I will be voting on ment. First, inspections are not ‘‘any- the procedural side this afternoon to where, anytime.’’ The potential delay and would undoubtedly use some of support the President’s Iran agree- of as many as 24 days before we can in- that money to create even more trou- ment. spect undeclared, suspicious sites is ble in the Middle East and perhaps be- I yield the floor. troubling. It is true that declared sites yond. The hardliners could use these The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- will be monitored. That is one of the funds to pursue an ICBM as soon as ator from New York. positives of this deal. But if Iran is sanctions are lifted and then augment Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, going to cheat, it will not be at a de- their ICBM capabilities in 8 years after my dear friend and colleague and I dis- clared site with the eyes of the world the ban on importing ballistic weap- agree, but I very much respect the way watching, it will be at a nondesignated onry is lifted. Restrictions should have he has conducted himself throughout site. If Iran is trying to cheat, it will been put in place limiting how Iran this entire debate. certainly delay the inspection process could use its new resources. Every several years or so, a legislator as long as possible. Using the proponents’ overall stand- is called upon to cast a momentous Even more troubling is the fact that ard, not whether the agreement is ideal vote in which the stakes are high, and the United States cannot demand in- or whether it is better to have it or not both sides of the issue feel very strong- spections unilaterally. We require a have it, it seems to me, when it comes ly about their views. Such is the case majority of the eight-member joint to the nuclear aspects of the agree- with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of commission. Assuming that China, ment, within 10 years we might be Action with Iran. It demands reasoned Russia, and Iran will not cooperate, in- slightly better off with it. However, and serious debate. spections would require the votes of all when it comes to nuclear aspects after Over the years, I have learned that three European members of the P5+1 as 10 years and nonnuclear aspects, we the best way to treat big decisions is to well as the EU representative. It is a would be better off without it. study the issue carefully, hear the full reasonable fear that once the Euro- Ultimately, in my view, whether one explanation of those for and against, peans become entangled in lucrative opposes or supports the resolution of and then, without regard to pressure, economic relations with Iran, they disapproval depends on how one thinks politics, or party, make a decision may not want to rock the boat by vot- Iran will behave under this agree- based on the merits. That is what I did ing to allow inspections. ment—whether contact with the West with the Iran deal. I carefully studied Additionally, the snapback provi- and a decrease in economic and polit- the JCPOA, read and reread the agree- sions in the agreement seem cum- ical isolation will soften Iran’s ment and its annexes, questioned doz- bersome and difficult to use. While the hardline positions or whether the cur- ens of proponents and opponents, and United States could unilaterally cause rent autocratic regime views this deal sought answers to questions that went snapback of all sanctions, there will be as a way to get relief from onerous beyond the text of the agreement. instances where it is more appropriate sanctions while still retaining their de- After deep study and considerable soul- to snap back some but not all of the signs on nuclear arms and regional he- searching, I announced that I would op- sanctions. A partial snapback of multi- gemony. pose the agreement and vote yes on the lateral sanctions could be difficult to No one has a crystal ball. No one can motion of disapproval. obtain because the United States would tell with certainty which way Iran will While we have come to different con- require the cooperation of other na- go. It is true, Iran has a large number clusions, I want to give tremendous tions. of people who want their government credit to President Obama for his work If the U.S. insists on snapback of all to decrease its isolation from the world on this issue. The President, Secretary provisions, which it can do unilater- and focus on economic advancement at

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.010 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6553 home, but this desire has been evident General Ehud Barak, who was about to points of view, reviewing the text of for 35 years. Yet Iranian leaders have become Prime Minister of the country, the deal again and again, hundreds of held a tight and undiminished grip on and Bibi Netanyahu, the man he de- additional pages of supporting docu- Iran with little threat. feated. The other guests included the ments, and taking in dozens of brief- Who is to say that this same dicta- widow and daughter of the late Yitzhak ings from experts on Iran and nuclear torship will not prevail for another 10, Rabin, Labor Party leader Shimon proliferation. 20 or 30 years? To me, the very real Peres, former Prime Minister Yitzhak Two years of negotiations have pro- risk that Iran will not moderate and Shamir, General Ariel Sharon, and a duced an agreement that Israeli Prime will instead use the agreement to pur- remarkable assemblage of who’s who in Minister Netanyahu and most of our sue its nefarious goals is too great; Israel. Republican colleagues denounced al- therefore, I will vote to disapprove the I spoke briefly that day with Ehud most as soon as the ink was dry on it agreement, not because I believe war is Barak and at length with him several and well before they ever read it. They a viable or desirable option, nor to days in his office after he had officially said America should reject the deal and challenge the path of diplomacy, it is assumed his new duties as Prime Min- negotiate a better one. Well, to that I because it is far too likely that Iran ister. The second conversation focused think you say: Good luck. will not change, and under this agree- on the negotiations which lay ahead Last month, along with a number of ment it will be able to achieve its dual with Yasser Arafat, shepherded by the my colleagues, I met here in Wash- goals of eliminating sanctions while ul- Clinton administration, to try to reach ington with ambassadors and rep- timately retaining nuclear and non- a land-for-peace deal once and for all resentatives of the five nations that nuclear power. It is better to keep U.S. with the Palestinians. were our negotiating partners. To a sanctions in place, strengthen them, Ironically, a few days later, our dele- person they argued—persuasively I enforce the secondary sanctions on gation was invited to Ramallah to join thought—that this is a deal we should other nations, and pursue the hard, tri- Arafat and members of his leadership not reject. In effect, they urged us to dent path of diplomacy once more, dif- team for an extended lunch. Over that learn from Arafat’s mistake and this ficult as it may be. meal, I sat with Arafat and I shared time take yes for an answer. For all of these reasons, I believe the with him the new Prime Minister’s ear- They are not the only ones who be- vote to disapprove is the right one. nest desire to complete the work begun lieve we should support this deal. I yield the floor. by former Prime Minister Rabin before There are dozens of former Israeli na- Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I his assassination. I urged Arafat to set tional security and military officials, yield 20 minutes to the Senator from aside generations of conflict and dis- including retired Israeli Navy Admiral Delaware. trust in an effort to find common Ami Ayalon. He is pictured here. He The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ground with the Israelis that would ul- was effectively the CNO of the Israeli ator from Delaware. timately provide greater security for Navy—the person in charge of the Navy Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I Israel and better relations with its in the last decade. I am an old Navy thank the Democratic whip for yield- neighbors in return for Palestinian guy. I am a retired Navy captain. I ing time to me and for his extraor- statehood. The conversation seemed to spent 23 years in the Navy. I was inter- dinary leadership on this issue and tell go well. A few days later back in the ested in what he had to say when he him how proud I am of him and my States, I shared as much with the Clin- came to my State. Here is what he said, among other other colleagues, no matter where we ton administration. things: ‘‘The Iran deal is the best pos- come down on this issue. The negotiations that ensued over I have a little bit of a different ap- the course of the next year ultimately sible alternative from Israel’s point of view given the other available alter- proach to the serious matter that is be- presented Arafat with the best land- natives.’’ fore us. During the first week or two of for-peace proposal the Palestinians Now, look, he is one significant the August recess, I did something that would ever receive. In the end, they turned it down. Dennis Ross, who Israeli leader who believes this is the I suspect none of my colleagues did; I played a key role in the negotiations right thing for Israel. As it turns out, actually read the Iran deal and a lot of for the administration, would later tell there are dozens, and actually scores, the materials that relate to the agree- me that ‘‘Arafat simply could not take of former Israeli military leaders and ment. After putting it down, my mind yes for an answer.’’ intelligence leaders who agree with wandered back to another time and Sixteen years have passed since then. him—not all but a lot, and we should place where there was an intense effort Another transformative opportunity listen to their voices. I have certainly to end years of hostility and mistrust has presented itself, and this time to listened to him. in the Middle East. America and to our five negotiating To those who think there are dan- As Governor of Delaware and chair- partners—the British, the French, the gerous people in Iran who want this man of the National Governors Asso- Germans, the Russians, and the Chi- deal so they can exploit it, I remind ciation, I led a trade delegation in 1999 nese as well as the people of Iran. We them that the Revolutionary Guard is of business leaders, government offi- have a chance to ensure that the Ira- vehemently opposed to this deal. A lot cials, and citizens mostly from Dela- nian hopes of developing a nuclear of people I have talked to in Delaware ware, many of them Jewish, and we weapon are put on the shelf for years— in recent weeks think that, well, the went to Israel in the summer of 1999. maybe forever. Revolutionary Guard, the bad guys and We went looking to strengthen eco- The Iranians have a chance to bring hardliners in Iran, if you will, are for nomic and cultural relations between to an end the crippling economic sanc- it. As it turns out, they are not for it. Delaware and Israel. tions that the coalition we lead has im- It is quite the opposite. Briefed by U.S. Department of State posed on Iran for years, and the Ira- Here is a photograph of Major Gen- officials before departing on our mis- nians have another opportunity; that eral Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander sion, I also went looking for an oppor- is, to shed their status as a pariah of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. He said: tunity to encourage Israeli and Pales- among the nations of this world and as- ‘‘We’ll never accept it.’’ That is not ex- tinian leaders to seize the day and sume a position worthy of their history actly a voice of endorsement for this change the leadership in Israel in order and their culture. agreement. I think this is all the more to try and negotiate the two-state so- Over the past 2 years, I have had reason we should vigorously enforce lution that always seemed just out of countless meetings with people from this agreement through the intrusive reach. Delaware and beyond our borders who inspections regime it mandates for the Those opportunities came sooner fall on both sides of this issue. Some International Atomic Energy Agency than I ever expected. Shortly after we are vehemently opposed to any deal to make for years to come, in order to landed there, we were whisked off in with Iran and others believe we abso- ensure that the Iranians comply with Israel to a sprawling outdoor Fourth of lutely must have a deal in order to every element required of them by this July celebration that was hosted by avoid a war. deal. the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Among I came to support this agreement This deal blocks four pathways to a the guests there that day were former only after considering all of these bomb. I will mention what they are:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.014 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6554 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 first of all, the uranium facility in Almost every American who was only did he get to run, he won more Natanz, blocked; the uranium facility alive on 9/11, which we will commemo- votes than the other five candidates at Fordow, blocked; weapons-grade plu- rate tomorrow, remembers the horri- combined. In the end, he did serve. tonium, blocked; covert attempts to fying images of that tragedy. To make Later on, the question was what kind make a bomb, blocked; intrusive and matters worse, we had to endure the of cabinet would he put together to uncomfortable inspections; sanctions spectacle throughout the day and night surround himself as the leader of Iran. relief only after Iran meets its obliga- of tens of thousands of Arabs across the And what he did—we were watching to tions. If they cheat, the harsh eco- world taking to the streets to celebrate see who would be minister of this or nomic sanctions snap back. Who can the death of thousands of Americans. that over there. So when Rohani sub- snap them back like that? We can, the Lost among those images, however, mitted the names of the Iranian par- United States, and any of our negoti- was a remarkably different gathering liament, his submission for Foreign ating partners as well. We don’t need that took place in another nation. It Minister was my friend, Zarif. You their concurrence. We can do it alone. took place in, of all places, Tehran, the could have knocked me over with a Iran currently has 10,000 kilograms of capital of Iran. There that night, thou- feather. I never saw it coming, never enriched uranium and nearly 20,000 sands of Iranians came together in a imagined it would come. The man who centrifuges, that puts them 2 or 3 candlelight vigil in solidarity with the had gone on to lead the Iranians in ne- months away with a nuclear bomb. United States. Most Americans have no gotiations with our five negotiating Without a deal, it stays that way. With idea that ever happened. I have never partners over the past 2 years is a man a deal, however, that enriched uranium forgotten it. I have known for a half a dozen years stockpile must shrink to 300 kilograms A half-dozen years later in New York or more. and Iran must cut their number of cen- City, I would meet an Iranian leader Our negotiating team has been led trifuges by two-thirds. And the ones named Javad Zarif, living there with superbly by Secretary of State John they end up with are not the advanced Kerry. By his side, however, for much his family. He was the Iranian ambas- centrifuges, they are actually the most of the past year has been a less well- sador to the U.N. We didn’t have rela- elementary centrifuges. That change known Cabinet Secretary, our Energy tions with them and we still don’t. But blocks their pathway to a bomb, keep- Secretary Ernie Moniz, who would end the Iranians have for some time had an ing them at least 1 year away for the up playing a key role among all of the ambassador there to the U.N. and he next 15 years or maybe longer. members of a very talented and dedi- lives in New York City. Our negotiating partners also made cated team. the following critical points repeat- Zarif was educated, it turns out, at Dr. Moniz has never sought elected edly. If at the end of the day the agree- San Francisco State University and office. I first met him almost a decade ment is implemented and the Iranians the University of Denver. I remember ago at MIT where he was a leader and violate its provisions later on, we will thinking when I met him that he spoke a professor in physics. He was regarded know it. We will know it by virtue of flawless English—better than I—and he as one of the world’s experts on all our own intelligence, the intelligence knew more about Americans than most things nuclear. He testified one day at of our partner nations, and the intel- Americans. I think his kids were edu- a field hearing I held at MIT focusing ligence of the Israelis as well. If it be- cated here as well. on spent fuel rods from nuclear plants. comes apparent that the Iranians have Impressed, later on, after I came Later, I came back and people said: cheated, any of the six of our nations back to Washington, DC, I spoke to What is he like? And I said: This guy can mandate the reimposition of an him and I said: Why don’t you come to Moniz is a genius. And by God he is. international economic sanctions re- Washington and meet some of our col- It turns out he is not just a genius; gime against Iran, the same crippling leagues to give them a chance to get to he leads a bunch of these national labs sanctions that brought them to the know you and to have a dialogue. where people who are just as smart as table 2 years ago and to this hard- He said: The George W. Bush admin- he is know all kinds of information, in- fought agreement today. istration won’t let me come. They cluding all things nuclear—more so Madam President, 35 years ago, the won’t let me leave New York City. than any other country in the world. United States imposed sanctions So I said: Well, that is easy to fix, As it turns out, they were harnessed to against Iran that were largely unilat- and I met with the Bush administra- help us in this negotiation—the na- eral. It was just us. Then we began tion. Well, it wasn’t easy to fix, and tional labs—led by Ernie Moniz. ratcheting it up over time. they wouldn’t relax their travel ban. As it turned out, ironically, among Unilateral sanctions by the United So I later would ask Zarif in a con- the graduate students at MIT during States were clearly a nuisance to Iran, versation we had—this is when Dr. Moniz’s distinguished career, there but they did not bring Iran to the Ahmadinejad was the President of Iran, was a young Iranian named Akbar table. Only sustained, multilateral saying the holocaust was a figment of Salehi. Later Salehi would return to sanctions, joined in by our five negoti- the imagination and the leaders of his country and, as fate would have it, ating partners and others around the Israel should be blown off the face of ultimately become Dr. Moniz’s Iranian world, succeeded in bringing Iran to the Earth. I said to Zarif: How do you counterpart in the negotiations with the table in a mood to talk. In fact, get along with your President the U.S.-led team. As it turns out, under the agreement that has been ne- Ahmadinejad, and his response was: Salehi’s thesis adviser at MIT was one gotiated, if necessary, they could be set Not good. of Ernie Moniz’s closest friends at MIT, up by the United States in their en- He said: Ahmadinejad doesn’t trust and thus was created maybe not a tirety at our request—our request—if me. I am not going to be here much bond, but a connection, and a shared we are convinced the Iranians are longer. trust that went back to both Ernie cheating. This agreement guarantees And he was right. The next time I Moniz, a former professor at MIT, and that if they are ever needed again, any reached out to him, he was gone. He a former graduate student, Salehi at of the six of us could pull the trigger was gone, seemingly without a trace. I MIT. and reimpose them. Conversely, if the found out years later he had been re- It didn’t take long for Secretary United States rejects this agreement, called to Iran and had returned to pri- Moniz to make a profound impression we not only lose the ability to know vate life writing, lecturing, and largely during the negotiations. Shortly after that the Iranians are pursuing the de- staying out of sight. he joined the team earlier this year, he velopment of a nuclear weapons capa- As Ahmadinejad’s second and final gave the Iranians what several mem- bility, we will also lose the support of term began to wind down, a campaign bers of the U.S. team would later de- the rest of the world in reimposing to determine who would replace him scribe to me as a tutorial in all things sanctions in the event that a future ensued. A reformer named Rohani put nuclear, making it clear that the Ira- government in Iran elects to pursue a his hat in the ring. Most people had nians had ‘‘more than met their nuclear weapons program. I don’t know never heard of him, at least not here. match.’’ Adding Ernie Moniz to our about my colleagues, but that makes And most people in Iran said he would team was I think a stroke of genius, no sense to me—no sense. It also makes never have a chance to even get elected not only bringing him here, but the na- no sense to our negotiating partners. or run. Well, he got to run, and not tional labs as well. In the countless

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.015 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6555 meetings he has participated in with thoughtful presentation. The Senator nium for the safe production of nuclear House and Senate Members, he has bol- from Delaware has a personal interest energy. As more nations look to meet stered the credibility, probably as in and has made a personal commit- growing energy needs while minimizing much as anybody, of the agreement— ment to this issue. I thank him for his carbon output, a comprehensive policy and the confidence of many in it—in insight. to ensure only safe levels of uranium ways that almost no other American I now yield 10 minutes to the Senator enrichment with strong international could do. from Michigan. safeguards is critical to global secu- Much has been made of whether we The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- rity. can trust the Iranians to do what they ator from Michigan. No nation faces a more severe threat have committed to do. John Kerry, Mr. PETERS. Madam President, ear- than Iran’s nuclear ambitions than the Ernie Moniz, and the other members of lier this week I announced that I will State of Israel. For decades, the Ira- our team have made clear that the reluctantly support the Comprehensive nian regime has made it their mandate agreement they and our five partners Joint Plan of Action and oppose the to eliminate the Jewish State. We from the other nations have hammered resolution of disapproval, despite some must be united in ensuring that this out with Iran is not based on trust. Let very serious reservations. never happens. We must always be me say that again: It is not based on I did not reach this position easily or ready to act to prevent Iran from ob- trust. It is based, as we have already quickly. Although there are many posi- taining a nuclear weapon and smug- heard on this floor, on mistrust. We re- tive aspects to this deal, this agree- gling arms to its proxies in the region. alize that some future Iranian regime ment also has flaws that I believe need As the Middle East falls deeper into may well ponder whether to violate the to be addressed in the months and chaos, our alliance with Israel, a na- agreement and launch another pilot years ahead. tion that shares so many of our values, program to develop another nonpeace- The congressional review period has has never been more important. Amer- ful nuclear capability. If they actually served a very useful purpose. My col- ica must reaffirm our longstanding attempt to do that, the key questions leagues on both sides of the aisle have commitment to Israel’s security by re- are these: Will we know it? Are the raised very important points about this newing our memorandum of under- consequences for Iran severe enough to deal as we were briefed by experts and standing, providing Israel with defense deter them from going forward with it? administration negotiators. I commend capabilities in order to cement its I am convinced the answer to both Senators CARDIN and CORKER for their qualitative military edge in the region, those questions is yes. bipartisan efforts to establish this re- and bolstering Israel’s ability to ini- Today, Iran has much more than the view and for affirming Congress’s role tiate deterrence against Iran. hardline Revolutionary Guard whose in shaping our Nation’s foreign policy. The JCPOA is not the end of our mul- influence has begun to wane. Iran After this debate is over, it is my tilateral efforts against Iran and its il- today is a nation of 78 million people. hope that moving forward the Senate licit behavior. America must work Their average age is 25. Most of them will forge bipartisan consensus and act with our allies to initiate multilateral were not alive in 1979 during the Ira- with unity of purpose. We must work sanctions against Iran for its terrorist nian revolution. They don’t remember together and take action against Iran activities, especially its funding of the brutal Shah we propped up for if they fail to live up to their obliga- Hezbollah and Hamas. years and allowed to come to our coun- tions under this agreement, and we We also need to set clear under- try when his regime fell. This new gen- must work on legislation and multi- standings of how Iran will be sanc- eration of Iranians is ready to take yes national and lateral efforts to combat tioned for minor violations of this for an answer. I think we should too. Iran’s sponsorship of terrorist activi- agreement that will not initiate the This is a good deal for America and our ties, arms smuggling, and hegemonic snapback of full sanctions. We must allies, and that certainly includes ambitions. continue working in a coordinated Israel, one of our closest allies. I think We need to look no further than the fashion to ensure unity in purpose it beats the likely alternative that humanitarian crisis emanating from against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ter- there could well be war with Iran, Syria to see the havoc and chaos that rorist activities, and efforts to desta- hands down. Iran and its proxies are wreaking on an bilize the region. We must also con- I will close with this brief conversa- already troubled region. tinue pressing for the release of all tion. About a year and a half ago I was We need to provide robust oversight U.S. hostages currently imprisoned in up in New York in a house that Sen- and work together to stem the pro- Iran, including Amir Hekmati. Con- ator DURBIN had actually visited with liferation of nuclear material, espe- gress must address these issues. me, as well as a couple of others where cially from nascent nuclear states and In 2009 Congress debated whether to Zarif used to live. We had the oppor- from Iran in particular. Nearly 20 coun- pursue sanctions or diplomacy with tunity to talk about the upcoming ne- tries produce safe nuclear power with- Iran first, with military force always gotiations. I said: Zarif, you and Iran out domestic enrichment. America’s being the last resort but a necessary have a choice. You can have a strong, longstanding policy is that the Nuclear final deterrent. I was proud to cospon- vibrant economy for your country Non-proliferation Treaty does not pro- sor the effort to pass sanctions in 2009 again, or you can have a nuclear weap- vide the right to enrich uranium. and help pass additional sanctions in ons program. You cannot have both. While in the short term this agree- the years since. As a new Member of And we are not going to accept a nu- ment helps reduce Iran’s capacity to the Senate, I joined a group of bipar- clear weapons program. enrich and eliminates the vast major- tisan Senators ready to pass additional We have the ability to know if they ity of their Iranian stockpile, I am con- sanctions against Iran as they contin- cheat. If they cheat, we have the abil- cerned that in the long term other na- ued to drag out negotiations. Iran ity to put right back in place these tions will view this agreement as a needed to know that the patience of same crippling economic sanctions. If precedent that will lead to increased the United States was not limitless. that doesn’t do the job, we have other proliferation of nuclear enrichment The JCPOA is a product of complex alternatives at our disposal. Nothing is and the potential for other nations to negotiations and painstaking com- off the table. emerge as threshold nuclear states. promises. But let’s be clear. Either re- Sometimes around here we talk Just a few years ago, the United jecting or accepting this deal comes about voting our fears or voting our States signed and ratified a 123 Agree- with a set of distinct risks. However, hopes. I am prepared to vote my hopes, ment with the United Arab Emirates those who oppose this deal have been for our Nation and the Iranians as well. that would help them build nuclear accused of supporting war over diplo- Thank you. power capabilities while explicitly pre- macy, and those who support this deal The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- venting them from enriching uranium have been likewise portrayed as sup- ator from Illinois. on their soil. porting containment and capitulation. Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I The United States must take a lead- Foreign policy is rarely so simple, and wish to thank my colleague, the Sen- ership role in setting a threshold of ac- it is certainly not so simple in this ator from Delaware. That was a very ceptable levels of enrichment of ura- case.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.017 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 As leaders of this great Nation, we OK. Let’s talk about the agreement— could be improved. I wish the 15 years owe it to our citizens and the men and five quick realities. was 20 or 30 years. I wish the 24 days women in uniform to never let our- No. 1, Iran is a nuclear threshold was 12 days or 8 days or 1 day. But this selves become so fractured by partisan state today. There is a lot of argument. is the agreement that is before us. And politics on issues of such importance to I sat through the long debate yesterday the analysis could not be strictly of the national security. I look forward to afternoon about what happens in 2030, agreement itself and within its four working with Senators on both sides of what happens in 15 years, and would corners, but compared to what? That is the aisle to protect the interests of our Iran be somehow a legitimized nuclear really the basic question here—not allies and the safety and security of threshold state. They are a nuclear whether this a good deal or a bad deal. this great Nation and to ensure that threshold state today. The risk to the The question is, How does this deal, no the United States of America remains world is imminent. It is not in 15 years; matter what its flaws, compare with both united in our goals and indivisible it is today. That is why this agreement the alternatives that are out there? In in our purpose. is so important—because basically it all of the drama and all of the argu- I yield the floor. freezes and rolls back Iran’s nuclear ca- ment and all of the speeches and rallies The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- pabilities for at least the next 15 years that we have heard, no one has yet ator from Illinois. and probably longer. come up with a credible alternative. I Mr. DURBIN. I yield 10 minutes to The No. 2 reality: Iran is a rogue na- have not yet heard a credible alter- the Senator from Maine. tion. It foments terrorism around the native. The only thing I hear is this: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- world. It is a state sponsor of ter- We will reimpose sanctions and bring ator from Maine. rorism. Everyone knows that. Under them back to the table and get a better Mr. KING. Madam President, I want this agreement, as has been pointed deal. It is going to be very hard to re- to talk about this arrangement and out, because of the nature of the nego- impose those sanctions without the agreement with Iran and cover several tiations, which were ‘‘roll back your support of our international partners. points and what I think are important nuclear program in exchange for relief If we enter into the deal and Iran realities that have not been empha- from the sanctions,’’ they will indeed cheats, then we can bring the inter- sized in this debate, but first I would receive relief from the sanctions, and national partners back with us, but to like to address the issue of the 60-vote that will give them additional funds for do so—to try to think that we could do margin. their economy and possibly for their so now is just unrealistic. I wish there First, I think it should be on the nefarious purposes. But I would submit were a better alternative. I also wish I could play tight end for the New Eng- record that the minority leader offered that the only thing worse than a rogue land Patriots, but it is not going to to the majority leader a unanimous Iran is a rogue Iran armed with nuclear happen. It is simply not realistic. consent agreement that there would be weapons. That is the essence of this no filibuster on the motion to proceed There is no credible alternative. deal. It prevents their opportunity to Finally, we have to talk about what and there would be a 60-vote threshold gain nuclear weapons, to create suffi- happens after the deal. Congress has a required for final passage of the bill. As cient fissile material. It rolls back responsibility. The administration has I understand it, that offer was rejected. what they already have. a responsibility. We cannot trust Iran. That means the only alternative is to I should point out that they became Everyone knows that. No one argues go the technical rule of the filibuster a nuclear threshold state during the that. in order to require a 60-vote margin. imposition of various sanctions re- There has been a lot of discussion It is absolutely clear from the legis- gimes. So it is clear that sanctions in about the IAEA. I serve on the Intel- lative record of the Corker-Cardin bill and of themselves are never going to ligence Committee. We had a briefing that everyone involved in that discus- prevent their achievement of becoming just yesterday morning with the heads sion, including the Senator from Ten- a nuclear weapons state. of our intelligence agencies. It is not nessee, understood that a 60-vote mar- No. 3, this is a multilateral agree- just the IAEA that is going to be gin would be required in the passage of ment. All the discussion around here watching this agreement, it is the this legislation. There is no question acts as if it is the United States and world’s intelligence community, and about it. There are quotes in the Iran, Obama and the Ayatollah. It in- we have significant capability to know RECORD. Everyone understood that deed involves the world’s major powers. if they are cheating over and above and from the beginning of the consider- It involves Great Britain, France, Ger- in addition to anything the IAEA ation of the Corker-Cardin bill. many, China, Russia, and other coun- brings to the table. This is not trust; Finally, every major issue that has tries that have helped to enforce those this is verification based upon the come before this bill since I have been sanctions and make them effective. If IAEA’s worldwide experience but also here has required 60 votes, whether it we walk away from this deal, we are based upon the considerable intel- was immigration or background checks doing so alone. ligence assets of the United States and or extension of unemployment benefits We had an extraordinary meeting be- other countries that are supporting us or the minimum wage. All of those fore the recess with Ambassadors from in this effort. have required a 60-vote threshold. That the P5+1 countries. They made it clear Finally, there are risks. I understand has been the standard in this body. We that they had accepted this agreement that. There are risks on both sides. could debate whether that should or and that if we rejected it, their willing- There are severe risks. This is not an should not be the standard, but it is, it ness to go back to the table, reimpose easy call. It is one of the hardest deci- has been, and this is not a time to de- the sanctions, reinforce the sanctions— sions I have ever had to make. But if cide we are going to arbitrarily aban- I believe one of the Ambassadors used you analyze the alternatives and weigh don that. the term ‘‘far-fetched’’—it is not going the risks, I believe the risks of not I must say I am sort of amazed to to happen. going forward with this agreement are hear people discussing this as if this is The sanctions are going to erode significantly greater than the risks of some kind of new imposition of a rule, starting now, no matter what we do in giving diplomacy a chance going for- and it reminds me of ‘‘Casablanca″: I this Congress. I can’t figure out any ward with this agreement, which can am shocked—shocked—to understand way that a weaker sanctions regime— be verified. If there is cheating, it can that there might be a 60-vote require- which is inevitable because other coun- be caught, No. 1, and punished, No. 2, ment on this piece of legislation. tries involved in the sanctions have al- and if the agreement doesn’t work, we That has been the standard for this ready started to make moves toward have the same options we have today. body certainly for as long as I have doing business with Iran—I don’t see This is a difficult decision. It is one been here and for some time longer. As how a weaker sanctions regime is ever that has weighed on this body and on I say, we can discuss whether that going to bring Iran back to the table to this country. But I think this is a tre- should be the standard, but that is get a better deal. mendous opportunity for us to avoid a what it is, and no one should be sur- Reality No. 4: This agreement is nuclear-armed Iran and secure at least prised that is the way we are pro- flawed. It is not the agreement I would that part of a peaceful Middle East and ceeding here today. prefer. There are elements that I think more secure world.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.022 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6557 Thank you, Madam President. met for over an hour with Israel’s Am- great gravitas, that Democratic after I yield the floor. bassador to the United States. I met Democratic Senator—the serious way The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- with all five of the Ambassadors of the we pursued coming to a decision on ator from Illinois. P5+1 countries; those who have been this. Let me contrast for a moment on Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, let long-time allies of ours from France, this, one of the most significant na- me thank my colleague from Maine for England, and Germany; those from tional security issues Congress will his thoughtful presentation. China, and from Russia, who are allies face in a generation. I have been in the I would like to ask how much time on this issue, if not a number of others. House and Senate for 20 years now. remains. All—every one of them individually, This will be one of the two most impor- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Seven collectively, warned that the United tant decisions I have made on foreign minutes. States—it would be the United States policy. The first was my vote against Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I am which would be isolated internation- the war in Iraq. It was clearly the right going to yield to the Senator from ally if Congress rejects this agreement. vote, even though at the time there Ohio. I hope 7 minutes is adequate. If it Many of my colleagues talk about was public support for it. is not, I would ask unanimous consent Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism, its We know that the information we to extend that and offer time to the human rights abuses, and its pursuit of were presented was not exactly right in other side or whatever is necessary. ballistic missiles. These are legitimate the end, even though there was huge I yield to the Senator from Ohio. concerns, but they are not the focus of support in Congress and a lot of public The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- this agreement. Of course we would support for going into war with Iraq. I ator from Ohio. love to solve those issues. Sanctions on thought about that a lot. I made a de- Mr. BROWN. I thank you, Madam those issues will remain in place, but cision that I thought the Iraq war President, and I thank the assistant that was not the focus of this nuclear would be disastrous for our country. Democratic leader. agreement. That decision clearly was right. It was Madam President, I rise in support of Let’s be clear. When I hear opponents not so partisan back then, although we the international agreement designed say that Iran 10, 15 years from now had a President that certainly pushed to prevent Iran from acquiring a nu- would be a threshold nuclear state— us and a Vice President, especially, clear weapon. No one in this body maybe they will, maybe they will not. that pushed us into that war. trusts Iran. No one in this body dis- That is certainly debatable. It is not But this agreement should not be putes that Iran is the leading state debatable that Iran is a nuclear thresh- subject to the kind of reflexive par- sponsor of terrorism, that it denies old state right now. They are 2 to 3 tisan attacks we have seen in recent Israel’s right to exist, and that it de- months away from being able to months. Just a few months ago, 47 of stabilizes the Middle East and violates produce enough fissile material for a my Republican colleagues signed a let- the human rights of its people. That is bomb. That is a fact. They are 2 to 3 ter signaling their opposition to the why we need to prevent a nuclear- months away from being able to emerging deal—not just that, they produce enough fissile material for a armed Iran, which would pose an expo- signed a letter to the Ayatollah—to the nentially greater danger to the secu- nuclear weapon. The agreement provides for com- leader of the enemy, Iran—suggesting rity of the United States, to our long- that the deal was not quite on the up- time important ally Israel, and to the prehensive restrictions today—begin- ning when Congress allows this agree- and-up because of the President of the entire world. This is the only viable op- United States. They signed a letter tion. ment to move forward, to block Iran’s pathway to a bomb. They include re- that was teaching the Ayatollah, if you As Senator KING said, no one has an- will, some American civic lessons. swered the question of what happens if ducing Iran’s installed centrifuges by two-thirds for at least 10 years, cutting Imagine, if Democrats in the Senate in we reject this agreement. Well, of the the early 1980s had written a letter to hundreds of calls I have made and the its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98 percent for 15 years, reconfiguring its President Gorbachev saying: Don’t ne- dozens of briefings and discussions I plutonium reactor to render it inoper- gotiate with Ronald Reagan. Imagine if have had with people on both sides of able and deny Iran a source of weapons- we had done that. the agreement—from Israeli officials, grade plutonium. I ask unanimous consent for an addi- to American security people, to activ- To verify Iran’s compliance, the deal tional 2 minutes. ists, engaged citizens on both sides of requires 24/7 access to all declared nu- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. this—nobody has answered the ques- clear sites. The United Nations inspec- FISCHER). Without objection, it is so tion: What do we do if this agreement tors will say that of the 120 country in- ordered. is killed in the Congress? What would spections they have done, this is the Mr. BROWN. Imagine if that had hap- follow? What is the alternative? most comprehensive and the most in- pened. So we start off with 47 Repub- I am incredibly proud of the diligent trusive. The deal provides time-certain licans writing to the Ayatollah, saying, work my Democratic colleagues have access to all suspicious sites in Iran. It fundamentally: Don’t negotiate with done over the last 6 weeks in research- provides for a permanent prohibition President Obama. We have seen now ing, examining, and questioning this on Iran acquiring or developing a nu- not a single one of my colleagues is in deal. There was no knee-jerk reaction clear weapon. It provides a permanent support of this agreement, even though on our side where people all went the ban on nuclear weapons research and a Secretary Powell supports it, even same way almost immediately when permanent inspection regime for their though former Senator Lugar, who was the agreement came out. People on the nuclear program. as respected as anybody in this country Democratic side of the aisle listened to If Iran violates the deal, the agree- as a former Republican Senator, sup- experts, and they listened to stake- ment gives the United States extraor- ports it. It is not just disappointing holders. We came to thoughtful, in- dinary power to snap back both U.S. that not a single one of my Republican formed decisions. and international sanctions without colleagues supports this, but the first I made my decision after serious fear of veto by other nations. The day the agreement came out, I heard study of the agreement’s contents, President made clear that if 10 or 15 or talk radio saying: Read the agreement. after listening to Ohioans on all sides 20 years from now Iran tries to build a Read the bill. The first day this agree- of this, after consulting with nuclear bomb, this agreement ensures the ment came out, 19 Republicans—on experts, such as the Energy Secretary United States will have better tools to that first day—came out in opposition and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Sec- target it. Americans fundamentally to this agreement. There is no way retary Moniz. I attended hours of brief- don’t want another war in the Middle they could have read it. I know how ings from the President, from the En- East. Americans strongly prefer a dip- complicated this agreement is. I have ergy Secretary, from Treasury Sec- lomatic solution, which this agreement read it. I assume that every one of my retary Lew, from Secretary of State is all about, that ensures that Iran can- Democratic colleagues, in an arduous, Kerry, and other administration offi- not obtain a nuclear weapon. focused, difficult, persistent way, stud- cials. I consulted U.S. intelligence offi- At the beginning of my remarks, I ied this issue. Then I see what hap- cials, outside arms control experts, and spoke about the serious way, with pened on the other side of the aisle

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.023 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6558 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 when it was—as Timothy Crouse said will be the case. To deny us the oppor- possible to prevent conflict in this in the press does in the ‘‘Boys on the tunity to even let our yes be yes or our solving this problem. So we laid out a Bus—‘‘ if one of them flies off the tele- no be no before the public I think long framework. Perhaps if this con- phone wire, they all fly off the tele- would be a tragic mistake. tinues into next week, I will be able to phone wire. I would like to go back a little bit go through some of this framework, That is what happened. I was just so and talk about my history with all of but the key on this is stated here disappointed. Senator CORKER is here, this. When I returned from my ambas- somewhere. The key to this was that one of the people who did not sign that sadorship to Germany and actually had you had to have a combination of letter and one of the people who to deal with this as one of many dif- tough diplomacy, which we had years thought about this issue. But what I ferent issues—because even back then of, and we were going to continue that, saw in the contrast of the way we there was great concern among both backed up by ever-ratcheting sanc- looked at this, it was pretty dis- the United States and the German Gov- tions, to show Iran that there was a turbing. ernment over Iran’s pursuit of nuclear price to pay for not coming to agree- I will conclude. My time is running weapons capability. I engaged in a ment, and then backed up ultimately out. This agreement will matter for number of discussions and diplomatic by the threat of force if we could not our country. It is clearly in our na- efforts there in working with our allied secure an agreement, which would tional interests. I think there has been country Germany on this issue. But reach the goal. no good answer offered on what hap- when I did come back, I suppose partly The goal was to prevent Iran from pens if we walk away. That is why I because of my engagement there, I was having nuclear weapon capability, ask my colleagues to vote no on the asked by the Bipartisan Policy Center knowing the destabilization that would next vote coming in front of us. that had just been formed to chair a take place in the Middle East, the his- Thank you. task force on this very issue, the Ira- toric impact this would have, and con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nian pursuit of nuclear weapons. sequences this would have if we al- ator from Tennessee. We obviously wanted this to be bipar- lowed that to happen. Mr. CORKER. Madam President, I tisan, so I recruited my fellow Senate Let me move on to what I believe are want to thank the Senator for his com- colleague Chuck Robb, then a retired major problems with this deal. We ments. Just so we know how we are or- Senator from Virginia. Together we co- know Iran’s misbehavior, its violation ganized on this side for the next hour— chaired that effort. Later we were of six U.N. treaties that it agreed to, and I think we are about evened up on joined by retired 4-star General and its violation of the nonproliferation the time, maybe 3 minutes more needs Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of treaty, its support for terrorism. It is a to come our way but roughly even. For Europe Chuck Wall. We put together a bad actor, perhaps the world’s worst the next 30 minutes, we have Senator who’s who of experts on the Middle bad actor, engaging in weaponization COATS, one of our outstanding foreign East and experts on nuclear capabili- that killed American troops. We are policy, national security Senators, who ties. We had renowned experts from dealing with a rogue nation here. served as an ambassador; 15 minutes across the spectrum come and present I don’t know how my colleagues for Senator GRASSLEY; and 15 minutes to us. react to this, but when they cut a deal All of that resulted in three major re- for Senator ROBERTS. with the United States, they are cheer- ports titled: ‘‘Meeting the Challenge, I thank you so much for being here ing on the streets of Tehran. And the U.S. Policy Towards Iranian Nuclear and your incredibly responsible way of Supreme Leader came out yesterday Development’’; the second one, ‘‘Meet- facing this issue. and basically said: Well, don’t worry, ing the Challenge, Time is Running The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Israel won’t be around in the next 25 Out’’; the third, ‘‘Meeting the Chal- ator from Indiana. years. They will be wiped off the map. Mr. COATS. Madam President, I lenge When Time Runs Out.’’ There is a treasure trove of informa- We have already said ‘‘Death to Israel’’ thank my colleague Senator CORKER tion here about how Iran has violated and also ‘‘Death to the Great Satan, for his diligent efforts, as it consumed U.N. treaty resolutions, violated the the United States.’’ This is the party literally hundreds, if not thousands, of nonproliferation treaty agreement. We that we just negotiated an agreement hours as chairman of the Senate For- have talked about the consequences of with. eign Relations Committee in helping all of this and made recommendations Now, if we had negotiated an agree- guide us through this very important, to the administration, whatever ad- ment that achieved our goals, I would very difficult process. ministration that would be. As it turns say good for us. Finally, the sanctions I was on this floor earlier saying this out, these recommendations went both worked. We came up with a good agree- is an issue that rises above partisan to a Republican administration under ment. But I have read through this politics. This is something that each of President George W. Bush and to the document and parsed over every word, us as a Senator has to weigh carefully. Obama administration under our cur- tried to find every meaning. I serve on I don’t know how many hours and how rent President. the Senate Intelligence Committee, much time I have spent reading Clearly, we have outlined—and in the and earlier I served on the Armed Serv- through, parsing through, trying to interest of time I will not be able to go ices Committee. I have had more than analyze and understand this agree- back through all of this. But let me a decade of experience in this. ment, its side annexes and everything just state a couple of the conclusions I spent almost the entire weekend connected with it. I would like to now here relative to all of this. Absent nec- carefully reading this, hoping that we say to my colleagues, perhaps with an essary leverage, we believe it unlikely had achieved, if not all, at least some appeal that they at least, at the very that Supreme Leader Khamenei will re- of the most important goals we had. least, set aside: The deal is done. You ciprocate President Obama’s concilia- But to my dismay, we ended up not lost. Therefore, we are not even going tory gestures in a meaningful way. achieving any of those goals. The goal to allow a vote on this matter. First of all, we endorsed diplomacy was to prevent Iran from having nu- This is one of the most historic, con- to its ultimate, but we recognized that clear weapons capability that could sequential measures that anyone in diplomacy has its limits. You can sit at break out and totally destabilize the this Chamber will ever be confronted a table and not come to agreement for Middle East. What we have come up with. I know for me it is one of the decades. We had been trying diplomatic with is an agreement that puts them most historic because of the con- efforts with Iran and they were not on a path to do exactly that, justified sequences that may occur if we don’t succeeding. So then we talked about now by this agreement, justified by the get this right. It is important that we the necessity of having sanctions, ever- Security Council at the U.N. debate this, have ample time to go ratcheting, tightening sanctions, to I said there were two major things through every bit of this, and have bring Iran to the table. Included in that needed to be talked about before each Member weigh carefully what we that was the threat of the use of force we talk about some of the specifics: hear from each other and what we if all else failed. First is the false claim that we must come to understand on the basis of our None on that committee were war- choose between accepting this failed own personal examination. I hope that mongers. We wanted to do everything agreement or war, and the second is

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.025 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6559 that the agreement prevents Iran from their colleagues on a 98-to-1 vote to weapon in about 10 weeks, down from 1 acquiring a nuclear weapons capa- give Congress the right to have a say in year. In year 16 Iran would obtain nu- bility. this issue. Had that not happened, the clear weapons capabilities in a break- This is the sales pitch from the White President, by not declaring this a trea- out time of less than 3 weeks. House. This is the sales pitch that is ty, by declaring this simply an execu- That was the conclusion—not of Re- being made to the American people, tive agreement, the President would publicans—that was the conclusion of a and neither of these is true. have locked this thing in even before bipartisan group of experts, chaired by It has to be a desperate administra- we had a chance to read it, before the a Republican and a Democratic former tion that has chosen to force this American people even had a chance to Senator at the time. agreement on us by arguing that it is a know what it was except for what the And what we have said actually has choice between this deal and war. I am President told them it was or the Sec- come true. The sunset clause should, disgusted by the administration’s sales retary of State told them that it was. by itself, be enough to persuade, hope- strategy for this agreement and those So we are having this debate thanks fully, a majority of us to reject this who are led down the path of belief to these two men, these two leaders— deal. This doesn’t make sense. that the only option here is war, and one a Republican and one a Democrat— If President Bush in 2001 had pre- therefore, no matter what we gave who had the courage to stand up to this sented to the American people this away, this deal is better than the alter- President and say: No, the American same deal with Iran and secured the native. people deserve to have a say. votes to pass this deal, today Iran This false choice is among the most And, boy, what a say it is. I don’t would be having breakout—unre- infamous, cynical, and blatantly false know about others. My mail is running stricted breakout, assisted by the manipulations the Obama administra- 10 to 1 against this. Maybe I am talk- agreement. And we are going to call tion has used to distort this important ing to the wrong people, I don’t know, that a diplomatic victory? debate, and they ought to be ashamed but the more they learn about this Fifteen years is going to go by very of themselves for using this tactic. agreement, the more they say: Are you fast. They are going to have breakout In fact, the false argument masks a crazy? We gave up that? For what? capability much earlier than that and far more valid argument that this deal What did we get back? could easily—if you read the agree- makes future war far more likely, not I want to go over some of that, trying ment—easily declare that we have less. By abandoning the tool of eco- to move through this because I know breached the agreement, they are pull- ing back, and therefore they are going nomic sanctions, in giving away a time is of the essence here, but this forward. And they will have well over strong, principled negotiating position, idea that war is the only alternative— $100 billion to achieve that effort. They the administration’s desperate tactic is and then the sales pitch that I have will have sanctions relief—total sanc- reducing our options when Iran does go heard so many of my colleagues and tions relief. They will be able to export nuclear, as we have put them on the others who support the deal say: You all of the oil that they want, and Iran path to do. know, I am for this because this pre- wins. vents Iran from having a nuclear bomb. President Obama and Secretary There are some particular problems Kerry have repeatedly said over the It is just the opposite. It gives Iran the with this, and they have been listed by past year: No deal is better than a bad pathway to have a nuclear bomb. This people on the right, Charles deal. They never argued that any deal has a sunset clause in it, and it re- Krauthammer, and on the left or at is better than no deal, yet that is what leases all the sanctions. It has a sunset least in the middle, David Brooks. The they ended up conceding. clause that says after 15 years they can New York Times is not exactly a Re- We had the strength of the six most do whatever they want to do. We can- publican rag, and David Brooks is not powerful countries in the world—the not reimpose sanctions. What kind of a necessarily far rightwing. They are ba- United States, Great Britain, France, deal is that? But the false narrative sically saying: Every single major goal Germany, China, and Russia—sitting that this will not allow that—the that we had going into this agreement at one side of the negotiating table. On agreement, even the annexes say we has been given away in a desperate at- the other side of the negotiating table have to help Iran achieve nuclear re- tempt to achieve any agreement so was Iran, crippled by sanctions and oil search, nuclear research that can help that we don’t have to deal with this. falling into the range of $40 a barrel, them move toward this. What we have to deal with can be costing more to extract and sell than I looked at the annex and said: Sure- pushed down the road. they could get back. They were des- ly, I am reading this wrong. We are So on that basis I went through the perate to achieve some kind of relief committed to help them? And if other agreement and looked at some of these from these sanctions. nations, say Israel, want to take action areas. I would like to identify for the We had the negotiating leverage. We against this because they think they record those that we had the leverage gave away that leverage in these nego- are going to be extinguished from the to achieve—a goal, a stated goal by the tiations, desperate to conclude any face of the Earth—as the Iranians have administration and by others negoti- deal whatsoever so that we could avoid told them that is going to happen—if ating to achieve—and we caved on making some difficult decisions down they want to take action, we actually every one of them. the line in terms of what we had said are required to convince the Israelis First, verification inspections. Most we must do. not to do that. We side with the Ira- people understand that anytime, any- Four Presidents—including this nians. where means anytime, anywhere. Actu- President, two Democrats, two Repub- I mean, you can’t write this script. ally, now it means—well, a minimum licans—said it is unacceptable for Iran This is beyond comprehension. So of 24 days if Iran agrees with us ini- to achieve nuclear capability. We gave those two false narratives alone ought tially that we should go through this that away just to get them at the to be reason to say: Wait a minute. convoluted process where Iran helps table. Just to get them at the table, we Let’s not go forward with this deal. make the decisions. It is like giving took off the use of any force, any lever- Surely we can find a way to negotiate Tom Brady and the Patriots the right age or additional sanctions or con- a better deal for us. to determine whether or not the foot- tinuing sanctions in order to get to the Our Bipartisan Policy Center com- balls were deflated. I am from Indiana, table—not negotiating to get what we mittee—I want to read from this be- it is the Colts, and they whipped us in needed, but just to get to the table. cause we looked into this very ques- the Super Bowl. I am probably biased The administration has accepted, in tion, and this was the conclusion: Even in that statement. my opinion, a deeply flawed deal and if Iran were to honor all of its obliga- On the other hand, just to simplify it then set it in motion with a U.N. Secu- tions and fully comply with all the re- for people, if you have an adversary rity Council resolution on the next strictions in the agreement—JCPOA— that you don’t trust and you want to day, well before Congress could even the deal would not prevent a nuclear have an ability to find out if whether respond to it. Iran indefinitely. Starting in year 13, or not what they do and say is true, Thank goodness Senator CORKER and Iran will be able to break out, produce you don’t say: Go ahead, check it your- Senator CARDIN were able to convince enough fissile material for a nuclear self, then tell me what you think, and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.027 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6560 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 we will take that for an answer. So, Sanctions relief. This agreement does been made about what this agreement talk about caving anytime, anywhere not generally relieve sanctions pres- is and what it isn’t and what we will be on inspections. sure as originally intended. Rather it able to do I measure by what didn’t The administration also argued this abandons the sanctions regime entirely work out really well in North Korea, principle of short notice. Secretary all at once. Indeed, the multilateral and yet the same negotiator that nego- Kerry, when asked this at one of our sanctions are now already gone. Euro- tiated that helped negotiate on this. meetings here, basically said: No, we pean nations and others are flocking I don’t know if my colleague from never pursued such a goal; and, indeed, into Tehran to sign long-term agree- Tennessee is standing because I am we never heard of it. ments that will never be subject to running long on this, but I have a lot I, along with every one of us here was sanctions if they are snapped back. We more I would like to say. I am going to relieved when the administration an- lost again. So the re-imposition of try to move to a couple of last things nounced—I don’t know if it was Sec- sanctions, if we find out something is here. retary Kerry or one of his team sup- wrong here, is a farce. It is not Some prominent people have been porters—announced inspections any- implementable. noted here as favoring the deal. Well, I time, anywhere, and everybody said: I talked about snap-back here, so I think Henry Kissinger is someone who Oh, OK, at least we have that. am going to move forward from that. probably has some experience, at the Now we learn no American can be This is one I mentioned before, but I age of 90-some years and a lifetime in part of the inspection team. Now we still can’t comprehend it. diplomacy. I don’t have to give his cre- learn that a U.N. independent agency The deal obligates the P5+1—that is dentials. And George Shultz also has will do inspections, and now we have the six of us, the six nations that were some credibility on this. So if you want learned that military and former weap- negotiating—to actually help Iran to listen to one side on this, you ought on manufacturing and research facili- build up its nuclear infrastructure dur- to listen to the other. These individ- ties are off limits, and we are not even ing the 15 years before they achieve a uals have said: allowed to inspect them. 3-week breakout. So we are actually Previous thinking on nuclear strategy as- So anywhere, anytime has become a helping them construct their nuclear sumed the existence of stable state actors. farce. How can you possibly—that in infrastructure, which then can easily . . . How will these doctrines translate into and of itself would be reason not to be converted to breaking out for a nu- a region where sponsorship of nonstate prox- vote for this agreement. How go do you clear weapon. And in return for alter- ies is common, the state structure is under go home and say to people: Anytime, ing their timetable for nuclear indus- assault, and death on behalf of jihad is a anywhere is a scrubbed version of 24 trial development, the Iranians secured kind of fulfillment? hours a day at a minimum as long as not just international acceptance of Sadly, their views have been largely Iran agrees. that activity but actual assistance in ignored and not mentioned by anybody It doesn’t take somebody with a pursuing it. else. So if they are going to mention Ph.D. or a law degree—or even a Sen- That is incredible. We are actually their guys, we are going to mention ator or a Congressman who has delved helping Iran get to the bomb? As we our guys. into these issues—for people to say, are hear from some of our colleagues and Look, the last thing I want to say you nuts? Who would sign a deal like others who support this agreement, here before I conclude is there hasn’t that? they say: I am voting for this because been much discussion about the con- Uranium enrichment—we caved this prevents Iran from getting the sequences for Israel, our democratic there. Then talk about one of the key bomb. Read the agreement. It is not ally in the region, which I think should weaknesses is the agreement that the easy to read. It is not fun to read. But be a core issue. Prime Minister centrifuges are to be disconnected and it is alarming to read. Netanyahu was here and spoke to a only stored feet from their original po- I was in the Senate during the 1990s joint assembly of Congress. He received sition. They can be reintroduced into and the negotiations with North Korea, standing ovations for standing tall and the enrichment system when the ear- and actually, Wendy Sherman, the standing hard and saying the very fu- lier expiration dates of the deal occur, principal negotiator along with Sen- ture existence of my nation is at risk whenever the Iranians choose to move ator Kerry of this agreement, was the here. He made the point that a bad deal quickly toward nuclear capability. principal negotiator in the North is not better than no deal, that a bad This involves some highly technical Korea agreement. I remember being deal could be worse than no deal, and stuff, but the bottom line is almost all told on this floor through the Presi- that there are ways around this. aspects of these enrichment details in dent of the United States, then Presi- We cannot ignore the major risk that dispute are in dispute by experts who dent Clinton and his Secretary of State Iran will follow through with their understand the technical application of and others: Don’t worry; we have total often-repeated threats of obliterating all of this, and they are not persuaded verification procedures in place. If they the State of Israel—a threat that was by the misleading leadership coming cheat on us, we are going to know it. just repeated by the Supreme Leader out of the administration—once again And when we know it, we are going to yesterday. another cave. stop it. Well, here it is 2015, and North I ask unanimous consent for 1 addi- Fordow. What is Fordow? Fordow is a Korea has somewhere between 20 and 40 tional minute to conclude. facility at which some nuclear tech- nuclear weapons sitting on top of bal- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there nology pursuit was being undertaken, listic missiles, and we didn’t know it. objection? and we wanted to be able to shut that That made me a skeptic going into Without objection, it is so ordered. down. this thing because it is like deja vu Mr. COATS. I thank my colleagues. But the Iranians said: No, no, I don’t here. We are being told the same thing: In conclusion, with this agreement, think so. Don’t worry; we will know if they we have paid too much and gained too So we said: OK, let’s cave on that; cheat. We will be able to do something little. The risks are not adequately ac- let’s move onto something else. to stop them. knowledged and not effectively ad- The same applied to military dimen- This is the assurance that this is a dressed. I cannot support this agree- sions and undisclosed military facili- good deal. So that is a hard sale for me. ment. I cannot approve the misguided ties. So Secretary Kerry is faced again It is a no sale for me. I didn’t end up desperation that led to it. with Iranian intransigence and ex- voting for that because I had some real I cannot understand those who claim plained his new position now. He no suspicions about whether that would this is a great victory for diplomacy longer was fixated on the past: That take place. But that actually ought to nor those who turn a blind eye to its was something that we talked about be a lesson for all of us here—that obvious failings because of the appeal months ago. I am not fixated on that something that is promised by the of party discipline nor those who have anymore. So scratch that one off. President of the United States and his fallen prey to the Obama administra- Don’t worry. Keep Fordow. Keep Secretary of State and his negotiating tion’s manipulation of the deal with Fordow open, no problem. What is team won’t necessarily come true and the U.N. prior to Congress having any next? be the case. So the promises that have say in this.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.028 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6561 When I read about the gloating, the strength. The international sanctions standings and any related agreements’’ boastful joy in Iran—in Tehran, their were obviously hurting Iran, and Iran as part of our agreement with the capital—that all their needs were met wanted out from under those sanctions. President. It seems in this case we are and none of their redlines were crossed, The sanctions regime that Congress being asked to put our faith in the Ira- I despaired. I despaired because this put in place over the objections of nian regime to not cheat, contrary to misadventure has been a failure of vi- President Obama drove Iran to the ne- what we know about them. sion, a failure of will, and a historic gotiating table. Iran has not provided details on the failure of leadership. I fear these fail- The administration, leading up to the past military dimensions of its nuclear ures will lead to great suffering. negotiations and throughout the entire program even though the U.S. position We have seen this before. Peace at process, outlined the conditions for a was, very simply, that Iran had to any price is not peace. Peace at any good deal. President Obama and Sec- come clean about that history before price sometimes leads to tragic con- retary Kerry both made important any sanctions relief. It is critical, for a sequences. In the last century we saw statements about the goals of the nego- robust verification regime to work, the loss of tens of millions of lives be- tiations. The goal was, of course, to that the International Atomic Energy cause the goal was to seek peace at any dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. Sec- Agency have a full accounting of Iran’s price. We cannot make that mistake retary Kerry himself said in the fall of past efforts and stockpiles. Yet it ap- again. 2013 that Iran has ‘‘no right to enrich,’’ pears that Iran will be allowed to su- I yield the floor. and that a good deal with Iran would pervise itself by conducting its own in- Mr. CORKER. Again, Madam Presi- ‘‘help Iran dismantle its nuclear pro- spections and collect samples from its dent, I thank my colleague very much gram.’’ secretive military facility in Parchin, for his passionate comments and his Despite all these assurances that ne- where much of the military dimensions concern from day one about this agree- gotiations would include ‘‘anytime, of its nuclear program had been carried ment. anywhere’’ inspections, the deal falls out. I think we ran over a little bit. I real short. President Obama negotiated I also oppose the last-minute decision know Senator BROWN of Ohio ran over. away from these positions over the to lift the embargo on conventional If I can ask how much time remains on course of these negotiations. arms and ballistic missiles. GEN Mar- our side, I think we maybe go to 1:04 This agreement accepts and legiti- tin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint p.m., at least, or something like that. mizes Iran as a nuclear threshold state. Chiefs of Staff, testified before the Sen- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Twenty- Iran will not dismantle many impor- eight minutes for the majority. ate Armed Services Committee in July Mr. CORKER. So I know you all each tant parts of its uranium enrichment that ‘‘we should under no cir- asked for 15. If we could make it, in- infrastructure, contrary to past U.S. cumstances relieve pressure on Iran stead, 14 each, so it is equally divided, policies that Iran not be allowed to en- relative to ballistic missile capabilities Senator ROBERTS will enjoy that. This rich. and arms trafficking.’’ will be equally divided between our dis- Iran also is permitted to continue a They didn’t listen to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. So under this tinguished Senator GRASSLEY and Sen- vast research and development pro- ator ROBERTS, and I thank them for gram. Many of the significant limita- agreement, after just 5 years the con- letting me intervene and thank them tions expire after 10 short years, leav- ventional arms embargo will be lifted. both for being here. ing Iran an internationally legitimate After just 8 years the ballistic missile The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nuclear program. embargo will be lifted. Iran has long ator from Iowa. Iran could fully abide by this deal sought the technology to develop inter- Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, and be a nuclear threshold state, con- continental ballistic missiles, which this is a critically important debate on trary to what we were promised by this would be a direct threat to the United a nuclear deal that is going to have administration and the initial goals States and our allies. And Iran’s past long-lasting impacts on our national that were announced by the President. arms trafficking to the Hezbollah, security and the security of our friends Now, with respect to inspections, Hamas, and other terrorist organiza- and our allies. This debate is happening international inspectors will not have tions has long threatened the State of because 98 Senators expressed the de- anytime, anywhere access. They will Israel and other Middle Eastern allies sire to have a say on this agreement. have what is termed ‘‘managed ac- as well, and it of course threatens sta- This process will allow the American cess.’’ In fact, the deal provides Iran bility—very much so—in the region. people to speak through their elected with a 24-day process to further delay— Once Iran has complied with the ini- representatives, and I can say the we know what will happen—and hide tial restraints on its nuclear program, American people overwhelmingly op- prohibited activities. Iran has a track many sanctions will be lifted. This will pose this agreement. New public opin- record of cheating, otherwise I couldn’t release somewhere around $100 billion ion polls released in just the last few say those things. They have cheated on of frozen Iranian assets. The lifting of days indicate that Americans in gen- past agreements. This deal allows Iran sanctions and release of these funds eral are opposed to this deal by a mar- to stonewall the inspectors for up to 24 will only exacerbate Iran’s support for gin of 2 to 1. Only 21 percent support it. days. terror and tradition of terror, with Iran I participated in meetings with con- The agreement also includes side having access to tens of billions of fro- stituents in 25 of Iowa’s 99 counties agreements between Iran and the Inter- zen assets to bolster its conventional during the August work period. The national Atomic Energy Agency that military and further support global message I received was overwhelmingly we can’t review. Even the administra- terrorism. in opposition to this agreement. That tion has not seen them. And people in Even Obama administration officials is the same message I am hearing from this country expect us to read before have said that Iran is likely to use Iowans who have written or called we vote. some of the funds to purchase weapons since the deal was announced in July. Of course, we can read the agree- and fund terrorism that would threaten After many weeks of studying the ment, but we can’t read side agree- Americans and Israelis. Now, isn’t that terms of the Iranian deal, also hearing ments that the law requires be given to something—this administration negoti- from experts and attending classified the Congress to read under this special ating an agreement where it is as- briefings, and engaging in dialogue law. So we are going to be voting on sumed that we are going to give them with my constituents, my initial skep- things which we haven’t seen and further resources to support efforts to ticism has been confirmed. I have come which the law says we should see. kill Americans and Western Europeans. to the conclusion this agreement pre- The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review The concept of ‘‘snapping back’’ sented to us is a bad deal that will not Act, which passed the Senate 98 to 1, these sanctions is another issue that increase our national security or the requires the administration to provide has been discussed. These sanctions security of our friends and allies and to Congress access to all ‘‘annexes, ap- also appear less effective on the issue should be rejected. pendices, codicils, side agreements, im- of snapping back than originally The United States began the negotia- plementing material, documents, and claimed. The complicated process to tions from a position of very real guidance, technical or other under- reimpose sanctions is unlikely to work

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.029 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 even if Iran fails to comply with the President Obama himself said that it that is already adversely affecting the agreement. Iran views snapback sanc- is better to have no deal than a bad daily lives and well-being of individ- tions as grounds to walk away from the deal. This deal has far too many short- uals all around the world. Refugees agreement, so any effort to reimpose comings and will fail to make America throughout the Middle East recognize sanctions will be regarded by all par- and our allies safer. It will not prevent the United States is yielding both ties as to whether or not to dissolve Iran from developing nuclear weapons, power and persuasion to Iran, and they the agreement and impose sanctions. while providing a windfall that will are fleeing for their lives. I support a robust diplomatic effort allow them to ramp up their bad behav- As if failure to consider this agree- that will prevent Iran from developing ior. ment is not enough, now consider the a nuclear weapons capability, but I Obviously I oppose this deal, and I fact that there are those in this distin- also strongly disagree with proponents hope we can send a signal to the ad- guished body who will try to block clo- of this agreement who argue that the ministration and Iran that we need a ture and in doing so prevent even a only alternative to this deal is war. deal that improves our national secu- simple yes-or-no vote on the resolu- That, of course, is a false choice and in- rity and the security of our friends and tion. Talk about an upside down, tellectually dishonest. allies in the region and responds to the ‘‘Alice in Wonderland’’ exercise. Iran came to the negotiation table common sense of the American people The Senate has already voted 98 to 2 because it desperately sought sanctions who, through the polls, have shown to have a vote, and yet we stand here relief. If this deal were rejected, we they know this to be a bad deal. today ready to abrogate that vote. could impose even tougher sanctions, I yield the floor. So, my colleagues, what are we allowing our diplomats to negotiate a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- doing? We are simply debating a flawed better deal that would more adequately ator from Kansas. agreement submitted to us by the safeguard our Nation’s security inter- Mr. ROBERTS. Madam President, we President. We are not amending or vot- ests and that of our allies. A better all come here to make a difference, and ing on the agreement at all; we are just deal would not legitimize Iran as a nu- we have on the floor two Senators who debating. The path which we take clear threshold state, it would not have done just that—Senator CORKER today—a detour into a box canyon, trade massive sanctions relief for lim- and his counterpart on the Democrat achieving nothing—has been forced ited temporary constraints, and it side, Senator CARDIN, who is a good upon us by the very same people who would not provide concessions that will friend of mine. Both are good friends of made the Senate swallow the nuclear trigger a regional nuclear arms race. mine. History will note in salutary option. If we reject this deal, we could push terms what both of them have contrib- Where on Earth has the Senate gone? for an international agreement that uted in regard to leadership, persever- Well, the President has been breaking would truly dismantle Iran’s nuclear ance, and trying to make a bad situa- arms and political legs, urging my col- program and verifiably prevent Iran tion much better. I thank them for leagues to use Senate procedure and from acquiring a nuclear weapons capa- that. deny Senators the right to vote. It is bility. I rise today concerned, disheartened, pretty simple: The President doesn’t A better deal would not ignore Iran’s and fearful about the vote—or, to be want the Senate to vote no on what he past bad behavior. Iran has for many more accurate, not even having a considers his foreign policy legacy. years been the most active state spon- vote—regarding the issue before us However, on occasion, the Senate has sor of terrorism. Iran has an egregious that affects our national security and put partisanship aside and debated record of human rights violations and that of others worldwide. issues of deep conviction and diverging the persecution of religious minorities. We have before us the Joint Com- opinions. This should be one of those It continues to imprison U.S. citizens. prehensive Plan of Action, an Execu- times, but it is not. We should find a At least 500 U.S. military deaths in tive agreement whose original goal was path forward that enables bipartisan Iraq and Afghanistan are directly to prevent Iran from becoming a nu- accord as a legislative body. That path linked to Iran and its support for anti- clear-armed state. In keeping with our always starts when respect trumps par- American militants. This agreement will free up tens of constitutional responsibility and Sen- tisanship. I regret that is not today, billions of dollars in frozen Iranian as- ate tradition, what we should have be- not this week, not this issue, not this sets without addressing any of these fore us is a treaty, but we do not. Were President. issues. We know Iran will use some of the Senate taking up a treaty, we Given the fact that we are where we that money to support terrorist activi- could be having debate on rational, are, I think it is imperative that we ties throughout the Middle East, and commonsense, and effective amend- fully understand how Iran interprets those are extended into the United ments that would protect our country this agreement. The shoe is on the Ira- States and Western Europe. Iran pro- and reduce the flames of turmoil in the nian foot, and judging by the state- vides support for the brutal Assad re- Middle East and in Europe, but we are ments of their leaders, they believe it gime in Syria, the Houthi rebels in not. We are voting on a resolution of fits just fine. We have heard in detail from Sec- Yemen, and provides weapons, funding, disapproval, and we may well end up retary Kerry. We have heard from and and support to Hamas and Hezbollah. voting not to vote at all—a probability This deal appears to be the result of I find inexplicable and outrageous. In been lectured by the President. But desperation on our side for a deal—any the Senate’s 226-year history, it has Members should also know what Ira- deal—and the Iranians knew that and taken up almost 1,900 treaties and only nian President Hasan Ruhani and Su- took advantage of our weakness. rejected 22, many of which have dealt preme Leader Ali Khamenei told the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- with subjects of much less con- Iranian people after the agreement was ator’s time has expired. sequence. finalized. The difference is both perti- Mr. GRASSLEY. I will put the re- I deeply regret that the administra- nent and remarkable. Speaking before mainder in the RECORD. tion would not even consider the Sen- his constituency in Tehran, President Mr. CORKER. Madam President, he ate allowing a vote on this crucial for- Ruhani perfectly articulated where the may conclude. eign policy and national security issue United States began these so-called ne- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without as a treaty. During debate on the Iran gotiations and where the United States objection, it is so ordered. Nuclear Agreement Review Act in made enormous concessions. According Mr. GRASSLEY. This deal is a result April, I voted in favor of Senator JOHN- to him, we did not negotiate at all, we of President Obama’s philosophy of SON’s amendment to do just that. We conceded. leading from behind. As a result of this had the opportunity. The Senate failed It is a paradox of enormous irony philosophy, we now have enemies who to seize it. that in order to know the truth about don’t fear us and friends and allies who I believe this agreement to be deeply this agreement—highly praised by this don’t follow us because they question flawed, and our failure to truly debate administration and well-received by a our credibility and they question our and fix what is in it represents an abro- determined minority in this Senate—to leadership. We have a more dangerous gation of our responsibilities—this in learn the unfortunate truth about who world because of it. the face of an agreement or a ‘‘deal’’ negotiated and who conceded, we have

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.031 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6563 to read and understand the remarks of Under the agreement’s dispute reso- the norm. As a result, we have learned President Ruhani of Iran to get the full lution mechanisms, this agreement the hard way, as Americans who made picture. sets up a tortured path that does not the ultimate sacrifice in so many con- President Ruhani stated that in the just involve the much publicized 24-day flicts throughout our history. Around beginning, the United States capped waiting period. After 24 days, any dis- the world, we have witnessed man’s in- the number of centrifuges to 100. pute would be referred to a joint com- humanity to man: the Holocaust, Cam- Today, Iran is allowed over 6,000. mission where there will be a 15-day bodia, Rwanda, and now with the Is- Where original restriction and over- waiting period. Then the dispute would lamic State in Iraq and Syria and their sight were set for 20 years, today it is be referred to the Ministers of Foreign savage caliphate threatening almost 8. With regard to research and develop- Affairs with another 15-day day wait- indiscriminately against all those who ment, the United States abandoned any ing period. Finally, the dispute would do not subscribe to their Sharia law, limits on developing systems for en- end up before an advisory board with— and especially to our best ally in the riching uranium. Instead, Iran is free you guessed it—another 15-day waiting region, the State of Israel. to develop centrifuges to the highest period. All of this, of course, can be de- My colleagues, despite our best ef- level they desire—the IR–8. The admin- layed if the parties agree on an exten- forts, our hope, our optimism, and the istration placed a redline on heavy sion for further discussion, which they siren song, ‘‘It can’t happen,’’ I would water production at the Iraq facility. will. only remind you that history tells us Today the reactor will continue oper- Instead of resolution, we have an that it has happened, and it will hap- ating and produce heavy water. unending series of switchbacks to get pen again unless we have the courage We said sanctions would be lifted in- to the top of a mountain which in fact to take off the rose-colored glasses and crementally. Today they are virtually we will never see. ‘‘The definition of in- come to the realization with regard to nonexistent. Soon Iran will receive a sanity is doing the same thing over and the consequences of what we are doing windfall of approximately $100 to $150 over again and expecting different re- or, more aptly put, not doing and billion for whatever use it wishes— sults.’’ We have tried IAEA inspections whom we are dealing with. Today we read, terrorism; read, anti-missile de- with Iran before, and they failed miser- are dealing with a State sponsor of ter- fense systems. Of greatest importance, ably. It seems nothing short of insane rorism and they will continue. Iran what happened to the inspections re- to say that we can trust Iran today. will become a nuclear-armed state. gime? This administration said any- This deal does more than give Iran As we mark the 14th anniversary of time, anywhere, but Iran walked away the power to self-regulate, filibuster, the horrific terrorist attacks and loss holding the key to who, how, and when and avoid inspections. It gives Iran the of over 3,000 Americans on September inspectors will get in. ability to remain unaccountable and 11, 2001, I want to make it clear that I It is not so much what we in the rogue. This debate is not just about do not trust Iran, and I will never sup- United States know or believe. It is, what the administration, this body or port concessions which will allow them rather, what Iran believes, in the words the American public thinks of an to become a nuclear-armed state. of their President and Supreme Leader. agreement with Iran, this is also very It is my hope to vote yes on the reso- Their remarks not only put into abso- much about what the Iranians think we lution of disapproval. As my good lute focus what the Iranian Govern- have and will accept. friend and colleague Senator CORNYN ment understands as their responsi- I worry that we are looking at this emphasized yesterday: Every Senator bility in regard to this agreement, but so-called agreement through rose-col- here should have—— it also puts into perspective which side ored glasses, based on hope and the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. demanded and which side conceded. misguided idea that any deal is better SASSE). The majority’s time has ex- The administration will argue Presi- than no deal because the alternative is pired. dent Ruhani’s statements are but a war. Why do I say ‘‘rose-colored glass- Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I ask show for the Iranian public; that Iran es’’? It is because civilized nations do unanimous consent for 30 seconds. wants to claim they can become a sta- that—nations such as America. We nat- Mr. CORKER. I agree. ble influence in the Middle East. Sure, urally want to believe that disaster The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tell that to Israel. But the question re- and chaos will not happen but unfortu- objection, it is so ordered. mains, are we voting on an agreement nately they do. Mr. ROBERTS. Every Senator should or are we voting on concessions? Ac- Now, 14 years ago tomorrow, while have the opportunity to vote on this cording to President Ruhani, it is the heading into work I heard the news of issue, given the irony that Iran’s lead- latter. the World Trade Center being attacked. ership has given that power and privi- Perhaps the proud boasting of Presi- My heart fell and my stomach churned lege to its own Parliament. At least dent Ruhani is one thing, but the vows because as a member of the Senate In- give me and others the privilege today, of the Ayatollah are quite another. His telligence Committee at that time, I as a Senator, to cast the most impor- speech—punctuated by cheers of had been repeating over and over again tant vote of my 35 years in public serv- ‘‘Death to America,’’ ‘‘Death to that the oceans no longer protected us ice. Israel’’—vowed that regardless of the and the nature of warfare was dramati- I yield back my time. deals’ approval, Iran would never stop cally changing. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- supporting their friends in Palestine, At the time of the attacks, coming ator from Maryland. Yemen, Syria, Iraq or Lebanon; the up on 395, I could see black smoke bil- Mr. CARDIN. I understand we have 60 exact places Iran had been found back- lowing from the Pentagon. I knew the minutes under Democratic control. I ing terrorist organizations, which led Capitol would be next. If it were not for would ask unanimous consent that up to its listing as a State sponsor of ter- the heroes of flight 93 who made the to 7 minutes be available to Senator rorism by the State Department. But I declaration ‘‘let’s roll’’ a national roll- MERKLEY, up to 7 minutes to Senator have just listed the concessions and ing cry, my instincts would have been MANCHIN, up to 6 minutes to Senator vows that Iran’s leaders have made right and the Capitol would have been DONNELLY, up to 18 minutes to Senator public. What about the ones that will hit. The probability is I would not be FRANKEN, and up to 5 minutes to Sen- never be revealed—the agreed-upon ar- making these remarks today had that ator HIRONO, and up to 10 minutes to rangements between Iran and the happened. Senator MARKEY. United Nations’ International Atomic Madam President, my colleagues, ev- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Energy Agency. erybody watching, close your eyes. objection, it is so ordered. Today all Senators should be gravely Imagine the terrible ramifications had The Senator from Oregon. concerned about these negotiations and that plane hit the Capitol. Where we Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, the agreements. Do we have access? No. Do sit today would have been rubble. United Sates, our citizens, our Presi- we have information? No. Do we have Imagine that happening tomorrow. dent, and I believe every single Mem- transparency? No. Do we know what Throughout our history, periods of ber of Congress stand united in our processes will be allowed? No. Well, ac- peace, stability, and prosperity have commitment to block Iran from secur- tually we do. unfortunately been the aberration, not ing a nuclear weapon. The question we

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States should use a massive intel- ter probability, better outcome? That For this reason, many have come to ligence program to back up the plan in is the issue we are considering. this floor and argued the United the first 15 years and strengthen the Over the last month, I have explored States, instead of implementing this IAEA’s monitoring after the first 15 the strengths of every argument and agreement, should withdraw from it years. The United States should lead counterargument. I have met with pol- and negotiate a better deal. The pros- the international community in defin- icy experts, intelligence analysts, ad- pects for that possibility, however, are ing the boundary that constitutes the vocates, and the Ambassadors of our slim. difference between a nuclear research partner nations. I have sought and re- Our P5+1 partners—and I have met program and a nuclear energy program ceived the counsel of Oregonians on with all of their Ambassadors to ex- versus a nuclear weapons program. both sides of this issue. Taking all of plore this issue—have committed the Those bright lines that are diminished this into account, this deal is the best good faith of their governments behind are replaced with a commitment that available strategy for blocking Iran this agreement. They believe this is has to be defined, and it is through par- from acquiring a nuclear weapon. the best path, the best opportunity to ticipation and agreement that the The plan’s strength is that for 15 stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weap- United States can ensure that the years it creates an effective framework ons. They plan to honor the deal they international community sustains a for blocking Iran’s three pathways to have signed on to with or without the clear line and enforces that clear line. securing a nuclear weapon: the ura- United States as long as Iran does as The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nium path, the plutonium path, and well. Iran has every reason to honor ator’s time has expired. the covert path. It blocks the uranium this agreement, even if the United Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask path by requiring Iran to dismantle States rejects it because agreement unanimous consent for 30 more sec- two-thirds of its centrifuges; more im- fulfills Iran’s goal of lifting the inter- onds. portantly, to reduce its stockpile of en- national sanctions and it sets the stage The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without riched uranium by 97 percent; and to for valuable trade and investment part- objection, it is so ordered. limit enrichment of uranium to 3.67 nerships. Mr. MERKLEY. In conclusion, no for- percent—far below the 90 percent re- If Iran were to follow this course, it eign policy choice comes with guaran- quired for a nuclear weapon. would gain many benefits while leaving tees. The future, whether we approve It blocks Iran’s plutonium pathway the United States at odds with the bal- or reject this deal, is unknowable and by requiring Iran to pull the core of its ance of our partners, undermining, in a carries risks. But this agreement, with Arak reactor and to fill it with con- dramatic international fashion, Amer- its verification and full U.S. participa- crete, to build any replacement reactor ican influence with strategic and secu- tion, offers the best prospect for stop- with a design that will not produce rity consequences throughout a large weapons-grade plutonium, and to forgo ping Iran from acquiring a nuclear spectrum. On the other hand, if Iran the reprocessing of spent fuel which is weapon at any point here forward, and essential to the plutonium path. The exits this agreement and responds to for that reason I will support it. agreement also blocks a covert path to its rejection by the United States, our I thank the Presiding Officer. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- a bomb by imposing extensive inspec- country then is the one that stands in ator from West Virginia. tions and monitoring. This includes the pathway of a potential diplomatic Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, when I providing onsite inspections anywhere solution to this incredibly important go home to my beautiful State of West a violation is suspected. Unprecedented international security issue. It will be Virginia, I have always said that if I procedures have been put in place to the United States blocking a plan with guarantee that Iran cannot indefinitely high confidence of stopping Iran from can’t explain it, I can’t vote for it. When this process began, I was sup- stall these inspections, including set- acquiring a nuclear bomb. Further- portive of the diplomatic efforts led by ting a maximum number of days for ac- more, the international support for cess and number of days that is guar- economic sanctions would fray, giving Secretaries Kerry and Moniz. I have al- anteed to ensure that we can, with con- Iran some of the economic relief it is ways believed that to truly be a super- fidence, detect any work with radio- seeking without the burden of intru- power, you must engage in superdiplo- active materials. The result—attested sive inspections. macy. Whenever I am able, I will to by 75 nonproliferation experts and In short, this course would shatter choose diplomacy over war because the diplomats in a recent letter—is that it diplomacy, impact and diminish Amer- stakes are so high for West Virginia is ‘‘very likely that any future effort ican leadership, and shred our eco- and our entire country. by Iran to pursue nuclear weapons, nomic leverage, increasing reliance on In our State of West Virginia, we even a clandestine program, would be one leftover tool—military options— have one of the highest rates of mili- detected promptly.’’ while at the same time dramatically tary service in the Nation, participa- As many have pointed out on the diminishing our confidence in the ac- tion-wise. But as I struggled with this floor today, the agreement is not with- tual state of Iran’s nuclear program. decision, I could not ignore the fact out shortcomings. It has not sustained Less information, more reliance, and that Iran, the country that will benefit the current U.N. ban on Iran’s importa- less confidence would be a dangerous most from the sanctions being lifted, tion of conventional arms. Iran could combination. refuses to change its 36-year history of acquire conventional arms up to 5 The most effective strategy for sponsoring terrorism. years and missile technology after 8 blocking Iran’s access to a nuclear For me, this deal had to be about years. bomb is to utilize this agreement and more than preventing Iran from acquir- It does not dictate how Iran can maximize American participation to ing a nuclear weapon for the next 10 to spend the dollars it reclaims from cash hold Iran strictly accountable, not 15 years. For me, this deal had to ad- assets that are frozen. It does not per- through the first 15 years but through dress Iran’s terrorist actions. Without manently maintain bright lines on the next decades that follow, where doing so, it would reward Iran’s 36 Iran’s nuclear research or nuclear en- Iran is still completely constrained by years of deplorable behavior and do ergy program, lifting the 300-kilogram its commitment to never develop a nu- nothing to prevent its destructive ac- stockpile limit and 3.77 percent enrich- clear weapon. tivities. ment limit after 15 years. These exclu- After 15 years, Iran will be subject to In fact, even during the negotiating sions are trouble. the deal’s requirement that it will process that we have been watching un- It is possible, perhaps probable, that never ‘‘seek, develop or acquire any nu- fold, it has continued to hold four Iran will use some of that additional clear weapons.’’ And Iran will continue American hostages, support terrorism

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I at- ification regime ever put into place. will have unified committed partners tended every secured briefing that was Iran must get rid of 98 percent of their willing to prevent Iran from obtaining made available to me. I spoke with rep- stockpiled uranium, more than two- a nuclear weapon. resentatives of every Middle Eastern thirds of their centrifuges, and the ex- I also cannot, in good conscience, country, and most importantly, I lis- isting core of their heavy water pluto- agree to Iran receiving up to $100 bil- tened to the good citizens of West Vir- nium reactor. lion in funds that everyone knows will ginia. I thank all of my constituents These measures not only give us the be used—at least in some part—to con- who reached out to my office and to opportunity to restrain Iran’s nuclear tinue funding terrorism and further de- the many advisers who took their time capabilities but also, according to our stabilize the Middle East. Lifting sanc- to help me reach this decision. military leadership, improve the effec- tions without ensuring that Iran’s I will continue to listen to my con- tiveness of our military option should sponsorship of terrorism is neutralized stituents, and I will support a path to- that one day become necessary. With- is dangerous to regional and American wards peace and diplomacy over war out this agreement, we risk the worst security. and aggression. But make no mistake of both worlds. The united front we The administration has accepted about it. I will vote to use all of our have formed with the international what I consider to be a false choice— military might to protect our home- community against Iran’s nuclear pro- that this is only about nuclear weapons land whenever it is threatened, defend gram would break apart, the agree- and not terrorism. However, the fact of our allies whenever they are put in ment would dissolve, sanctions relief the matter is that we are concerned harm’s way, and to prevent Iran from would flow into Iran from those coun- about Iran having a bomb because, in acquiring a nuclear weapon. tries that are no longer willing to hold large part, it is the world’s largest To be a superpower I believe you the line, and Iran is left with tens of state sponsor of terror. Asking us to must possess superdiplomatic skills, thousands of centrifuges capable of set aside the terrorist question is irre- and I believe we can use these skills to producing highly enriched uranium, a sponsible and misses the point. negotiate a better deal. We need a deal heavy water reactor capable of pro- Over the last 36 years, Iran has car- that citizens of West Virginia, our ducing weapons-grade plutonium, and a breakout time of just 2 to 3 months. ried out thousands of acts of terror country, and the world know will make While I support this agreement, I that have killed thousands of innocent us safer. also recognize that the only true guar- lives, and not just in the Middle East With that, I yield the floor. antee that Iran will never become a nu- but around the world. They have defied The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- clear-armed state is the steadfast re- international sanctions and treaties, ator from Indiana. solve of the United States and our al- continued to call for an attempt to vio- Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, as lies to do whatever is necessary to stop lently destroy the State of Israel, Indiana’s Senator, my top priority and them and to put in place the policies to bombed diplomatic buildings, and mur- most fundamental responsibility is to make that happen. With or without dered innocent civilians. On top of it ensure the security of the people of In- this deal, the day may come when we all, Iran is directly responsible for the diana and our Nation, as well as the se- are left with no alternative but to take deaths of hundreds of U.S. soldiers. curity of our friends and allies, includ- military action to prevent Iran from ing Israel and the Gulf States. It is This regime has shown no signs that its crossing a nuclear threshold. The bur- through the lens of these solemn obli- deplorable behavior will change, and den and danger would, as always, be on gations that I have carefully reviewed the deal does nothing to guarantee the shoulders of our servicemembers, and evaluated the proposed nuclear that behavior change. who put their lives on the line for our The deal places real constraints on agreement. country. Iran’s nuclear program for the next 10 In making this decision, I bring to Indiana is home to the Nation’s to 15 years. After that term, Iran will bear not only my responsibilities as a fourth largest National Guard contin- be able to produce enough enriched Senator but as the ranking member of gent, with more than 14,000 Hoosiers uranium for a nuclear weapon in a very the Armed Services Subcommittee on standing ready to serve their commu- short period of time. While I hope its Strategic Forces, overseeing our Na- nities and our country. These men and behavior will change in that span, I tion’s own nuclear arsenal and global women and the thousands of Hoosiers cannot gamble our security and that of nonproliferation efforts, and my con- who serve in the Reserves and on Ac- our allies on the hope that Iran will victions as a strong supporter of Israel tive Duty across the country and conduct itself differently than it has and my concerns as a Hoosier who has around the world have been called to for the last 36 years. It is because of attended the funerals of too many serve time and time again. They have that belief and a month of thoughtful young men and women lost protecting done so with honor and distinction. consideration that I must cast a vote our Nation in this conflict-ridden re- They make up the greatest fighting against this deal. gion. force the world has ever seen, and I I do not believe that supporting this After exhaustive assessment and have every confidence in their ability deal will prevent Iran from eventually careful thought, I determined that de- to meet any challenge put before them. acquiring a nuclear weapon or from spite my questions about Iran’s inten- If the day does come that I am faced continuing to be a leading sponsor of tions, the most responsible course of with a vote on whether to authorize terrorism against Americans and our action is to give this agreement the op- military action against Iran, I owe it allies around the world. To those who portunity to succeed. It is not the to our Armed Forces and to the people are upset by my deliberations, I will agreement I would have written, but it of Indiana to have tried all other op- simply say that the decision to pursue is the one we have to make a decision tions to stop Iran before we consider diplomacy is every bit as consequential on, and I believe the alternative is putting our servicemembers into as the decision to pursue war, and in much more dangerous to our country harm’s way. many cases—possibly even this one— and to Israel. We stand ready to take military ac- the choice to abandon the first path While reasonable people can disagree tion if needed, but we owe it to the leads inevitably to the second. I, like on the substance of the agreement, we young men and women who protect our most Americans and West Virginians, can all agree that a nuclear-armed Iran country on the frontlines—from Terre have already seen too much American poses an unacceptable threat to global Haute, Angola, Evansville, and Indian- sacrifice in the Middle East to push us security and the Iranian leadership apolis—to at least try to find a peace- down the path towards war. However, I should not and cannot be trusted. The ful solution. They should be able to ex- don’t believe a vote against this deal question then becomes this: How can pect at least that much from us here in

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Moreover, toring of and unfettered access to While I share the concerns expressed while critics have eagerly pointed out Iran’s nuclear sites, international in- by the agreement’s critics about what what they see as flaws in the deal, I spectors will also be guaranteed access may happen 10 years or 15 years or 20 have heard no persuasive arguments to any site in Iran that they have sus- years from now, I cannot in good con- that there is a better alternative. picions about, including military sites. science take action that would shift The agreement imposes a series of Now, a lot has been made about a the potential risks of 2026 and 2031 to physical limits on Iran’s nuclear pro- provision in the agreement for resolv- 2016. gram, especially its production of the ing disputes when the IAEA seeks to I believe this agreement is, as my fissile material it would require to access suspicious sites in Iran. That predecessor and friend, former U.S. make a bomb. The agreement’s verifi- process can take up to 24 days. A lot of Senator Richard Lugar, recently said, cation provisions are extremely strong, confusing and misleading things have ‘‘our best chance to stop an Iranian with 24/7 monitoring of and unfettered been said about this. First of all, it is bomb without another war in the Mid- access to Iran’s nuclear sites and ongo- important to again emphasize that dle East.’’ I owe Senator Lugar and my ing surveillance of Iran’s nuclear sup- there is continuous monitoring at other fellow Hoosier, former Congress- ply chain. Iran’s declared nuclear sites and man Lee Hamilton, a great debt of Let me briefly review the central unique safeguards on Iran’s nuclear gratitude for their input and expertise limits on its nuclear program that Iran supply chain. That is not what the 24- throughout this process. has agreed to and the verification pro- day controversy is about. This deal will not resolve every prob- visions. Together they are designed to Where the 24 days come in is in those lem we have were Iran. It must be part prevent Iran from trying to get a nu- cases where Iran disputes the IAEA’s of a comprehensive strategy to counter clear weapon and to detect them, if demand for access to a suspicious, the broader threat Iran poses through they do, with enough time to respond undeclared site. People have expressed their support for terrorists and other forcefully and effectively. concerns that 24 days is too long. proxies across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, The agreement will prevent Iran Prime Minister Netanyahu has likened Yemen, and elsewhere. from using weapons-grade plutonium this to giving a drug dealer 24-days’ no- I remain committed to working with as the fissile material for a nuclear tice before you check his premises, my colleagues and friends on both sides weapon by requiring Iran to redesign saying that is a lot of time for a drug of the aisle to confront these chal- and rebuild the Arak nuclear reactor, dealer to flush a lot of drugs down the lenges with a clear, decisive strategy in which, if completed as planned, could toilet. the Middle East. have produced enough weapons-grade But here is the problem for Iran and I thank the Presiding Officer. plutonium for one or two bombs each the problem with this criticism. You I yield back my time. year. Under the agreement, it won’t be can’t hide radioactive material such as The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- able to do that. Iran has to pull out the uranium. It leaves traces behind, and ator from Minnesota. core of the nuclear reactor and fill it they can be detected for far, far longer Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, I rise with concrete to destroy it. And Iran than 24 days. One nuclear expert has today to express strong support for the can’t get any sanctions relief until it said: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, does that. If Iran were to flush the evidence down the the diplomatic agreement that the The agreement also significantly re- toilet, they’d have a radioactive toilet. And United States and our international duces and limits Iran’s production of if they were to rip out the toilet, they’d have partners reached with Iran in July. I uranium which, in its highly enriched a radioactive hole in the ground. urge my colleagues to support the form, can also be used in a bomb. Iran Uranium-235 has a half-life of over 700 agreement and to reject the resolution currently has about 19,500 centrifuges million years, and the half-life of ura- of disapproval. capable of enriching uranium, and it nium-238 is over 4 billion years. The This is not a decision I came to light- has stockpiled about 10 tons of low-en- IAEA will catch Iran after 24 days. ly. Since the agreement was an- riched uranium. Under the agreement, Now, it is true that there are some nounced, I have consulted with nuclear Iran has to go down to about 5,000 first- activities—related to weapons design, and sanctions experts inside and out- generation centrifuges for enriching for example—that don’t use nuclear side the government, Obama adminis- uranium and down to 300 kilograms of materials and are much easier to hide. tration officials, including Secretary of low-enriched uranium—a 98-percent re- That is a genuine challenge that in- State John Kerry and Secretary of En- duction. Iran does not get any sanc- spectors and our intelligence efforts ergy Ernest Moniz, Ambassadors from tions relief until it does that. will face. But the fact is that you can the other countries who negotiated Right now, it would take Iran about move a computer that you are doing alongside of us, our intelligence com- 2 to 3 months to get one weapon’s design work on in 24 seconds or erase munities, advocates for Israel on both worth of weapons-grade uranium. That stuff in 24 milliseconds. I am sure it is sides of the issue, my constituents in is called the breakout time. The longer actually a lot faster than that. But Minnesota, and, of course, with my col- the breakout time is, of course, the Iran is still not allowed to conduct leagues in the Senate. better. This agreement will increase those activities under the agreement Many have expressed reservations the breakout time to 1 year for the and will face severe consequences if about the agreement, and I share some first decade. Because of the inspections they get caught. of those reservations. It is not a perfect included in the agreement, if Iran tried So the bottom line is that the IAEA’s agreement, but it is a strong one. Many to cheat at their nuclear facilities and guaranteed access to suspicious sites people have said no deal is better than dash for a bomb, we would catch them will help support the verification of the a bad deal, but that doesn’t mean that almost instantaneously and have more agreement. the only deal we can agree to is a per- than enough time to respond effec- Perhaps more importantly, we will fect deal. The last perfect deal we got tively. Iran’s nuclear facilities will be also have ongoing surveillance of Iran’s was on the deck of the USS Missouri. subject to 24/7 monitoring and unfet- nuclear supply chain. That means that What a cost we had to pay for that, in- tered access by the inspectors of the in order to make a nuclear weapon in cluding the only use of a nuclear weap- International Atomic Energy Agency, the next 15 years, and even beyond, on in war—actually, two weapons. or the IAEA. Limitations on Iran’s nu- Iran would have to reconstruct every This agreement is, in my opinion, the clear facilities and strict verification individual piece of the chain—the min- most effective, realistic option avail- make it impossible for Iran to dash for ing, the milling, the production of cen- able to prevent Iran from getting a nu- a bomb at its known nuclear facilities trifuges, and more—separately and in clear weapon anytime in the next 15 for the next 15 years. secret. And it would have to make sure years and beyond. Iran must never, But the verification provisions are it didn’t get caught in any of the steps. ever have a nuclear weapon. And after also important for another reason. This agreement—plus our own com- 15 years, we will still have every option They make it much more difficult for prehensive intelligence efforts—would we currently have, up to and including Iran to be able to go for a bomb in se- make it exceedingly unlikely that Iran

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.036 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6567 would be able to get away with any of Iran may no longer be controlled by Mr. FRANKEN. I ask unanimous con- that. And Iran would therefore risk los- hardliners determined to harm our in- sent for another 2 minutes. ing everything it gained from the deal terests. More than 60 percent of Iran’s The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and the reimposition of sanctions, to population is now under the age of 30. objection, it is so ordered. say nothing of military attack. These young Iranians are increasingly Mr. FRANKEN. Thank you, Mr. We don’t have to trust the regime’s well educated and pro American. President. intentions to understand the reality it We don’t know how this tension with- In March, 47 of my Republican col- would face. Attempting to cheat on in Iran will work out. But I think if we leagues took the unprecedented step of this agreement would carry an over- reject this agreement, we will lose this sending a letter to Iran’s leaders just whelming likelihood of getting caught opportunity with the people of Iran. If as these sensitive negotiations were and serious consequences if it does. we back out of a deal we have agreed nearing an accord. It was a clear at- We still have work to do to diminish to, we will only embolden the tempt to undermine American diplo- the threat Iran poses to our national hardliners who insist that America macy and signaled that they would op- security and, of course, to the safety of cannot be trusted. We will be doing pose any deal with Iran, no matter our allies in the Middle East, beginning self-inflicted damage to American glob- what the terms. So it is not surprising with Israel. As sanctions are lifted, the al leadership and to the cause of inter- that these critics now oppose the fin- non-nuclear threat to the region may national diplomacy. ished deal, but it is disappointing that very well grow. We will need to bolster What is more, the alternatives that I they refuse to acknowledge, let alone our support to regional counterweights have heard run the gamut from unreal- take responsibility for the dire con- such as Saudi Arabia. And, of course, istic to horrifying. For example, some sequences that would almost certainly we will need to maintain our ter- say that should the Senate reject this result from killing it. rorism-related sanctions, which are un- agreement, we would be in a position It is possible that there would not be affected by the deal. to negotiate a better one. But I have a war if we reject the agreement, but We also need to work very closely spoken to the Ambassadors or Deputy what seems undeniable is that if we with Israel, our greatest friend in the Chiefs of Mission of each of the five na- and we alone were to walk away from region, in order to assure its security. tions who helped broker the deal with an agreement that we negotiated As a Jew, I feel a deep bond with Israel. us, and they all agree that this simply alongside our international partners, As a Senator, I have worked very hard would not be the case. Instead, these that would be a severe blow to our to strengthen our country’s bond with diplomats have told me that we would standing and our leadership in the that nation and to bolster its security, not be able to come back to the bar- world. and I will continue to do that. A nu- gaining table at all and that the sanc- Diplomacy requires cooperation and clear-armed Iran would be a truly tion regimes would likely erode or just compromise. You don’t negotiate with grave threat to Israel, and so I believe fall apart completely, giving Iran’s your friends; you negotiate with your this agreement will contribute to the leaders more money and more leverage enemies. security of Israel because it is the most and diminishing both our moral au- Indeed, no one who is for this deal effective available means of preventing thority throughout the world and our has any illusions about the Iranian re- Iran from becoming nuclear armed, so own leverage. That is just the reality. gime, any more than the American do a number of very senior Israeli secu- And of course Iran would be able to Presidents who made nuclear arms rity experts, including some of the move forward on its nuclear program, agreements with the Soviet Union had former heads of Israel’s security serv- endangering our interests in the re- illusions about the nature of the Com- ices. gion—especially Israel—and making it munist regime there. There is no doubt in my mind that far more likely that we will find our- For a long time, it looked as if our this deal represents a significant step selves engaged in a military conflict only options when it came to Iran forward for our own national security. there. If Iran cheats on this agreement would be allowing it to have a nuclear One concern has been raised about and we are a part of it, we will have a weapon or having to bomb the country what happens after year 15 when many say in the international response. If we ourselves. This agreement represents a of the restrictions in the deal expire. are not a part of this agreement, we chance to break out of that no-win sce- Well, there will still be major checks will not. nario. To take the extraordinary step on Iran’s nuclear program after that Now, most opponents of the agree- of rejecting it because of clearly unre- date. Under the deal, Iran will be sub- ment do not seek or want war with alistic expectations, because of a hun- ject to permanent, specific prohibitions Iran—even if opposition to the agree- ger to send Americans into another on several of the steps necessary to ment makes such a war, in my opinion, war, or, worst of all, because of petty build a bomb. Iran’s nuclear program more likely—but some of them do. One partisanship would be a terrible mis- will still be subject to heightened mon- of my colleagues suggested that we take. itoring by the IAEA and Iran’s nuclear should simply attack Iran now—an ex- I therefore urge my colleagues to pre- supply chain will still be subject to ercise he believes would be quick and vent this resolution of disapproval uniquely intrusive monitoring, which painless to the United States. In fact, from moving forward and to vote in will limit Iran’s ability to divert nu- he compared it to Operation Desert support of the agreement. clear materials and equipment to a se- Fox, intimating that it would be over Thank you. cret program without being detected. and done with in a matter of days. But I yield the floor. Iran must never, ever have a nuclear this is pure fantasy, at least according The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- weapon. We will still have every option to what our security and intelligence ator from Hawaii. we currently have, up to and including experts tell us, and it is certainly not Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I sup- the use of military force, to prevent the lesson anyone should have learned port the Joint Comprehensive Plan of that from happening. from the disastrous invasion of Iraq. Action that we have agreed to with our But we also must begin now to make The Middle East is an unstable, un- international partners and with Iran. the case to the world that the danger predictable, largely unfriendly region. This agreement, implemented effec- posed by an Iranian nuclear weapon We know that military undertakings in tively, is the best option we have to will not expire in 15 years, and remind the region are likely to bring very prevent Iran from getting a nuclear Iran that should it begin to take worri- painful, unpredictable consequences. weapon. some steps, such as enrichment incon- That is partly why we should give di- I sit on the Armed Services and Intel- sistent with a peaceful program, we plomacy a chance. Yet, a number of my ligence Committees. We have had nu- stand ready to intervene. colleagues and others were intent on merous hearings. I have engaged with That said, we don’t know what the opposing such a diplomatic solution the administration. I have met with world will look like in 15 years. As long even before the agreement was reached. our international partners. I have stud- as this regime holds power, Iran will In March—— ied the deal itself. I have read the com- represent a dangerous threat to our se- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- mentary and analyses from all dif- curity. But it is possible that by 2031, ator’s time has expired. ferent perspectives. I have asked hard

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.037 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6568 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 questions. I have reached my conclu- Second, the terms of this agreement, the threat posed by Iran would increase sions based on the facts before us. This implemented effectively, cut off Iran’s exponentially. Because of these factors, decision was not easy and should not ability to create a bomb. Their ura- we cannot ever trust Iran or ever give be easy. nium stockpiles will be all but elimi- it a free pass on its destabilizing activ- Like every Member of this body, I am nated. We will have unprecedented ity in the region and around the globe. committed to Israel’s security. I am oversight over the entire nuclear sup- As we speak today, Iran has the capa- concerned about the alarming state- ply chain. bility to develop a nuclear weapon ments against Israel and Iran’s support The U.S. intelligence community has within 3 months. With the Iran nuclear for terrorism. These concerns are real indicated that it will gain valuable new agreement, that will no longer be pos- and valid. insights through this agreement. In- sible. Nuclear proliferation is one of the deed, with the information that can be I believe that our negotiators most consequential national security garnered through this agreement, our achieved as much as possible and that matters facing the world. Clearly, a nu- intelligence community will be able to if the agreement they negotiated is clear Iran is unacceptable to all of us. provide information that will enable us strictly implemented, it can do the job. So I would expect that any agreement to make sure Iran stands up and abides On the other hand, if we walk away to stop Iran from getting a nuclear by the provisions of this deal. now, our diplomatic coalition will like- weapon would be given serious, We will have veto authority of what ly fall apart and the prospects for any thoughtful consideration. Yet, there goes into Iran and we will know what renewed efforts would not be prom- are those in this body and elsewhere comes out of Iran. ising. who oppose even the idea of a diplo- These unprecedented oversight provi- Together with many other Senators, matic solution—at least one negotiated sions have the support of arms control I met with the Ambassadors of the five by the Obama administration. They experts, nuclear scientists, diplomats, countries that joined in the effort to have made clear their intention to op- and military and intelligence leaders, reach this agreement—Great Britain, pose the agreement even while the ne- all of whom believe this deal will make France, Germany, China, and Russia. gotiations were taking place. the difference. Their message was unified and crystal For the first time I am aware of in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- clear: If the United States walks away U.S. history, dozens of Senators signed ator’s time has expired. right now, we will be on our own and an open letter to a foreign govern- Ms. HIRONO. I ask unanimous con- they will not come back to the table. ment—the government of an adversary, sent for 1 more minute. I acknowledge that the agreement no less—stating that any agreement The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without carries risks, but, as recently stated in reached by this administration would objection, it is so ordered. a letter signed by 29 leading American be undone. Before the actual ink was Ms. HIRONO. Finally, this agreement nuclear scientists, including six Nobel put to paper on the agreement, that isn’t about trust. The deal requires ver- laureates, this agreement contains was their message. Then, within hours ification that Iran is cooperating be- ‘‘more stringent constraints than any of the deal’s announcement, the same fore sanctions can be lifted. If Iran previous negotiated nonproliferation voices that opposed negotiations in the cheats, we can snap back sanctions framework.’’ first place started denouncing it as a with international support. We can ini- The agreement puts strict limits on bad deal. Some claimed we could get a tiate military operations if we need to. Iran’s nuclear program for the next 15 better deal. Others said that no deal Let me repeat. The deal before us does years. It reduces Iran’s existing nu- was preferable, despite the fact that not prevent the United States from clear program to a fraction of its cur- Iran was within 2 to 3 months of get- taking military action if needed. rent size. It virtually eliminates Iran’s ting a nuclear bomb. I am fairly cer- This agreement is not perfect; how- plutonium capabilities and reduces its tain these people hadn’t read the deal ever, rejecting this deal means risking uranium capability by two-thirds. It before they made such statements at our international cooperation, our se- pushes back the time required before the very outset. That is not how we curity, and our ability to prevent Iran Iran would be capable of building a nu- should conduct foreign policy. Our na- from getting a nuclear weapon. clear bomb from 3 months to more tional security, the security of Israel, Based on the facts before us, this than 1 year. and the stability of the Middle East are agreement deserves our support. Let’s As I said earlier, this agreement is too important to turn into campaign put politics aside. I urge my colleagues not based on trust. It imposes the most ads or political rhetoric. invasive, stringent, and techno- As we prepare to vote this afternoon, to join me in opposing the resolution logically innovative verification re- I would ask my colleagues to set poli- before us today. I urge my colleagues tics aside and focus on the facts. The to support the agreement. gime ever negotiated. The agreement fact is, this agreement is the best op- I yield the floor. empowers inspectors to use the most The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tion we have to stop Iran from getting advanced and intrusive methods to a nuclear weapon. ator from Massachusetts. monitor Iran’s compliance. This verifi- First, we reached this agreement Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, for cation system will provide an unprece- with the backing of our international more than half a century, the United dented amount of reliable information partners, including China and Russia. States has led global efforts to stop the and insight into Iran’s nuclear pro- I, along with some of my colleagues, spread of nuclear weapons. Since the gram, ensuring that if Iran ever tries met with Ambassadors of these coun- 1970s, the international community has to develop a nuclear weapon, we will tries, and I asked them point-blank: set rules and procedures to prevent find out about it in time to stop them. Would you come back to the table to these weapons from spreading, particu- After 15 years, under both this agree- bargain for another agreement if the larly to unstable regions plagued by ment and the Nuclear Non-Prolifera- United States walked away? international and civil war. tion Treaty, Iran will remain bound They said: No. There already is an Today, the world faces precisely this never to seek nuclear weapons. In para- agreement. It is the one that Congress challenge in Iran. A nuclear weapon in graph 3 of the agreement, Iran cat- should be supporting. the hands of Iran is a very real and egorically makes the following binding The Ambassador to the United States dangerous threat not only to Israel and obligation: ‘‘Under no circumstances from the UK also said no. the entire Middle East but to all of hu- will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire I would remind my colleagues that manity. any nuclear weapons.’’ after decades of U.S. unilateral sanc- We are in unanimous agreement that Under the agreement, Iran will be re- tions against Iran, it was the weight of Iran must never become a nuclear quired to give the IAEA detailed plans international sanctions that forced weapons state. Iran has given us good for how it intends to develop nuclear Iran to the table. We need our partners reason to be skeptical of its intentions. technology for peaceful use. It will re- to make this deal work, and our part- It has misled the world about its nu- main forever subject to IAEA inspec- ners have committed that if we choose clear program, is a state sponsor of ter- tion to verify that it never seeks nu- this path, they will stand with us, they rorism, and is a destabilizing force in clear weapons or engages in any nu- will be with us. the Middle East. With nuclear weapons, clear weapons-related activities. If the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.040 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6569 IAEA ever finds anything suspicious— With this agreement, we will maintain tant effort bears a price in the United not just in 10 or 15 or 25 or 40 years but the international solidarity that will States’ ability to negotiate unilater- forever—then it will be the IAEA’s enable us to reimpose sanctions if Iran ally. That should be a surprise to no duty to promptly report its suspicions ever does try to get a nuclear weapon. one. Critics of this agreement fail to to the world. The IAEA’s ability to We will keep and continue to improve acknowledge the leverage and strength verify Iran’s compliance is the key to all of our capabilities required to pre- behind a unified, international effort to this agreement. vent Iran from becoming a nuclear block Iran from obtaining a nuclear It will be critical to provide inter- weapons state, including a military op- weapon, and no one has offered a cred- national inspectors with the support tion. ible alternative that would lead to a they require to detect, investigate, and I thank Secretary Kerry, Secretary nuclear weapons-free Iran. respond to any suspicious nuclear ac- Moniz, and the entire U.S. negotiating This hard-fought bargain is the prod- tivity before Iran has time to cover up team for their tireless efforts and serv- uct of the canny determination of Sec- the evidence. ice to our country in helping reach this retary of State John Kerry, Energy With our support, the IAEA can and agreement. I also thank President Secretary and nuclear physicist Ernest must aggressively investigate any indi- Obama for his leadership and commit- Moniz, and Under Secretary of State cation of Iranian nuclear weapons ac- ment to diplomacy. for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, tivities and report promptly and un- I urge the Senate to come together to and of many months of hard work on equivocally if Iran cheats. Likewise, support this diplomatic effort to pre- the part of many dedicated American we must be prepared to react at any vent Iran from ever getting a nuclear officials. It is also a testament to time if the IAEA sounds the alarm. weapon—not just this month or this President Obama’s steadfast resolve to I supported the tough sanctions that year but forever. We must be ever-vigi- reach a diplomatic solution to one of brought Iran to the negotiating table lant to ensure that every part of this the most pressing security challenges in the first place. There are mecha- agreement is verified. of our time. nisms in this agreement to snap back I yield the floor. As more than 100 former American sanctions quickly and prevent a Chi- Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, Ambassadors emphasized in their letter nese or Russian veto. Congress presently has the heavy re- to the President endorsing the agree- Even without nuclear weapons, Iran sponsibility to conduct a thorough and ment, ‘‘the most effective way to pro- poses very real risks, particularly to rigorous review of the Joint Com- tect U.S. national security, and that of Israel, our closest friend in the region, prehensive Plan of Action with Iran. our allies and friends, is to ensure that and to our partners in the Arabian Pe- After numerous briefings from officials tough-minded diplomacy has a chance ninsula. The administration has as- involved in the negotiations, consulta- to succeed before considering other sured us that it is working closely with tion with scientific and diplomatic ex- more costly and risky alternatives.’’ regional partners to enhance their se- perts, meetings with Rhode Islanders, This agreement is also supported by curity. Congress must be an active, in- and a great deal of personal reflection, more than two dozen leading American sistent, and bipartisan partner in this I have decided to support the plan. I do scientists, who found the deal to be effort, both with this President and his so because it blocks the pathways ‘‘technically sound, stringent, and in- successors. through which Iran could pursue a nu- novative’’ in its restrictions on Iran’s We must increase our security assist- clear weapon, establishes unprece- nuclear capabilities and its monitoring ance to Israel to unprecedented levels. dented inspections of Iran’s nuclear fa- and verification of Iran’s compliance I have always been a strong supporter cilities and other sites of concern to with the agreement. of Israel. When Saddam Hussein was the international community, and pre- By eliminating Iran’s ability to gain developing nuclear weapons in 1981, I serves our ability to respond militarily a nuclear weapons capability for at supported Israel’s decision to bomb the if necessary. The agreement also en- least a decade, the deal allows the Osirak reactor. When Israel needed sures the international sanctions re- United States and the international more funding for a missile defense sys- gime against Iran can snap back into community to focus needed energy and tem in 2010, I voted to accelerate the place if the Iranian Government re- resources on other critical challenges development of the Iron Dome system. neges on its commitments. Iran poses to the region, such as its When Hamas attacked Israel in 2012, I This agreement, reached by the support for Hezbollah and Syrian Presi- supported its right to self-defense. We United States, United Kingdom, dent Bashar Assad, as well as its must continue to ensure Israel’s quali- France, Germany, China, Russia, and human rights abuses. tative military edge in the region and Iran, establishes strict and comprehen- Bilateral cooperation between the promptly finalize our new 10-year sive monitoring by the International United States and Israel will be as im- memorandum of understanding to ce- Atomic Energy Agency to verify com- portant as ever as we go forward. This ment our security assistance commit- pliance and prevent Iran from acquir- should include tangible demonstrations ments. Likewise, we must strengthen ing a nuclear weapon. The agreement of support for Israel through deepened our relationships with all of our re- does not take any options off the table military and intelligence cooperation. gional partners. The countries of the for President Obama, or for future President Obama has already declared Arabian Peninsula require our assist- Presidents. It ensures no sanctions re- his intention to provide ‘‘unprece- ance to counter threats from Iran. lief will be provided unless the Iranian dented’’ levels of military financing Our cooperation in ballistic missile Government undertakes a series of sig- and equipment to Israel, on top of the defense and countering violent extrem- nificant steps to satisfy IAEA require- record support already in place. ists through intelligence sharing and ments. As former Israeli Deputy National interdiction must continue and be en- This agreement is the product of a Security Advisor Chuck Freilich has hanced. Over the past 2 months, I have joint effort among six sovereign coun- said, ‘‘The agreement, a painful com- consulted with many stakeholders, tries, which working together have promise, not the one the U.S. or any- groups, advocates, and concerned con- more force and effect than separated. I one else wanted, but the one it was stituents on both sides of this debate. am encouraged that the other coun- able to negotiate, serves Israel’s secu- Without exception, their passion is tries party to this agreement have rity.’’ This conclusion is echoed in the born of an unwavering desire to secure committed to enforce this agreement words of officials from our Gulf Co- a lasting peace for the Middle East, and to ramp up enforcement of other operation Council partners, like Israel, the United States, and the international agreements against Qatar’s Foreign Minister Khalid al- world. This is a passion I share. Iran’s terror activities. I have also Attiyah, who said ‘‘This was the best The world has come together in a his- heard their warnings that if we walk option among other options,’’ and ‘‘we toric way. With the agreement, we gain away from this agreement before even are confident that what they [the nego- much, but most importantly, we avoid giving it a try, the prospect of further tiators] undertook makes this region missing the significant diplomatic op- multilateral negotiations yielding any safer and more stable.’’ portunity to ensure that Iran never better result is ‘‘far-fetched.’’ Joining I appreciate the thoughtful input of emerges as a nuclear weapons state. with other world powers in this impor- the many Rhode Islanders with whom I

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So it is extremely important for the through international engagement we Early this year, after his congregation American people to understand that we can encourage a freer and more liberal broke out with a death to America chant, are not debating and we are not going society to emerge from the grip of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said: to be voting on the actual deal itself. ayatollahs. That, with strong multilat- Yes, of course. Yes, death to America, be- We are going to be voting on something eral efforts to contain Iran’s con- cause America is the original source of this that has pretty weak involvement, pressure. Death to America. Death to Amer- pretty minor involvement, because tinuing mischief in the surrounding ica. Middle East, provides the prospect of President Obama has pretty well this becoming an historic turning Then only 2 days ago the Supreme blocked us, blocked the American peo- point. Leader said: I say that you Israelis will ple from having a voice on a deal which The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. not see the coming 25 years. And, God is so important, so consequential, and HOEVEN). The Senator from Wisconsin. willing, there will not be something which I believe is going to be so dam- Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I have named the Zionist regime in the next aging to America’s long-term interest, been watching this debate as carefully 25 years. a deal which I believe really will put as I possibly can. I think it has been So I agree that we cannot trust Iran. Iran on a path to obtaining a nuclear very thoughtful. I think it is inter- We cannot trust the Supreme Leader. I weapon. We are going to be lifting the esting that Members of this body have agree that Iran is our enemy. So my arms embargo. We are already lifting read the same agreement and come to decision to vote for disapproval of this the embargo on ballistic missile tech- different conclusions. It is not sur- deal rests on a very simple premise: nology. And let me reiterate that we prising. There are a lot of complica- Why in the world would we ever enter are going to be injecting tens of bil- tions in this. Nobody can really know a deal that will give tens of billions lions and eventually hundreds of bil- exactly how everything is going to and eventually hundreds of billions of lions of dollars to strengthen the econ- turn out. So it does not surprise me dollars to our enemy, our avowed omy and the military of our avowed that people have come to different con- enemy—an enemy that I have to re- enemy. clusions. mind this body was responsible, be- It is a simple decision for me, which I also agree with the Members of this cause of their IEDs, for the killing of is why I will vote to disapprove this body when they say this is probably 196 troops in Iraq and many more very bad deal. one of the most important votes they wounded and maimed, a regime that With that, I yield the floor. will ever take. We are talking about a back in the late 1970s took 52 U.S. hos- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nuclear Iran and how we can poten- tages for 444 days? That regime has not ator from Ohio. tially prevent that. That, obviously, changed its behavior in all these inter- Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I would be a threat to world peace. vening years. They are our enemy. thank my colleague from Wisconsin for I know that sitting back in Oshkosh, Again, let me point out, why in the his comments. WI, well before I ever became a Sen- world would we ever agree to a deal I rise today in opposition to this ator, I heard Members of parties de- that will strengthen our enemy’s econ- agreement. I do so because I believe it clare definitively: We cannot allow omy and our enemy’s military? It is bad for our country and bad for the Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Well, seems pretty obvious. I agree with world. the sad fact is, I think this agreement President Obama. This is a simple deci- There are very few votes we take puts it on a path to obtaining that sion. But I disagree. He thinks it is a here in the Senate that have such a weapon. good deal. I think it is a very bad deal. profound effect on our national secu- I also agree with President Obama in In my remaining time—I want to be rity and the kind of world our kids and his speech really chastising those of us respectful of my colleagues—I do want our grandkids are going to inherit as who don’t agree with him when he says to talk about what this debate and this upcoming vote we will take next this is a pretty simple decision. I think what this vote is actually about. This week on this nuclear deal. it is a pretty simple decision. I just is not a straight up-or-down vote to ap- Over the past couple of months, I come at it from a totally different per- prove an international agreement that have taken the time to read the agree- spective and obviously draw a com- would be deemed a treaty. This body ment carefully. I have attended the pletely different conclusion from that. gave up our ability to deem this a trea- classified briefings. I have listened to Let me read a couple quotes that ty and provide advice and consent my colleagues. I have talked to a lot of have been brought forth by Members of when we voted on my amendment to experts on both sides of the issue. I did this body during this debate. deem it a treaty. take my time in coming to a decision First: President Obama, on his own author- because I was hopeful that we would be Most importantly, this agreement cannot ity, his article II powers, said: No, able to have an agreement that I could be based on hope or trust. History belies both something this important, this con- support and others could as well. in our experience with Iran. This deal is not sequential is not a treaty, it is an Ex- I have also listened to my constitu- the agreement I have long sought. ecutive agreement, and I can go it ents back home in Ohio. They have Another Senator: alone. And he basically did until the looked at this agreement too. They un- We are legitimizing a vast and expanding Senators from Tennessee and Maryland derstand what is at stake. They have nuclear program in Iran. We are, in effect, came together and recognized the fact strong views on it. My calls and letters rewarding years of deception, deceit, and that a key part of this deal is the waiv- and emails are overwhelmingly op- wanton disregard for international law. er or lifting of the congressionally im- posed. Another Senator: posed sanctions that we put in place— Through the process, what I did was This agreement with the duplicitous and against the President’s objection, by I measured the agreement not based on untrustworthy Iranian regime falls short of the way—in 2012. What this debate is just some abstract concept I might what I had envisioned. all about is whether President Obama have, I actually based it on the actual Yet another: can retain that waiver authority. objectives and criteria that were set This deal is not perfect and no one trusts Regardless of how this turns out, out by the international community, Iran. President Obama, again, has nego- the United Nations, and the United In my 41⁄2 years in the Senate, I have tiated this deal. He has run to the States of America, our government. I been trying to find those areas of United Nations Security Council and looked at it based on the redlines we agreement. I agree with those com- gotten them to agree to it. The process had drawn. One of my great concerns ments. But what is kind of surprising will be put in place to lift those sanc- about this agreement is that those red- about all of those quotes, these are tions from the United Nations that, by lines have not been honored. The broad

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That is the most clear mechanism to enforce outcomes billion in sanctions relief early in the basic redline. of the dispute resolution process, nor agreement—by the way, with or with- You have to remember that when does it identify penalties for failure to out sustained compliance—which will Congress on a bipartisan basis enacted comply. This means that the only real- encourage the Iranians to cause trou- these crippling sanctions on Iran, it istic preagreed punishment for any vio- ble, to further support terrorist groups was not just to bring Iran to the table, lation—no matter how big or how they sponsor. which was the result, it was actually to small—is full reimposition of sanc- National Security Advisor Susan get them to abandon their nuclear tions. Rice acknowledged something that I weapons program. That was the point. In a way, as I look at this, this is like think is pretty plain. She said: I supported tougher sanctions to give having the death penalty as the only Iran is sending money to these groups now leverage to the Obama administration punishment for all crimes. I don’t while they’re under sanctions and they’ll even though, seriously, they did not think that is realistic. I don’t think have more money to do it when sanctions are want that leverage. They resisted Con- you are going to get the international relieved. gress increasing those sanctions. In community to go along with that. That Within 5 years, the agreement lifts fact, they initially opposed any role for is why I worry about the compliance the embargo on conventional weapons Congress in reviewing the agreement. and the sanctions. and lifts the ballistic missile embargo The Senator from Tennessee is here, Given that only a full-blown Iranian within 8 years—a last-minute conces- the chairman of the committee, and he violation would likely convince enough sion to Iran in the rush by the adminis- will tell you they are somehow reluc- countries to reimpose all sanctions, I tration to get to yes. At a minimum, tant even for Congress to have a role don’t think the agreement provides the this deal will ensure that Iran remains here, even to help them to be able to concrete tools to address less overt but a threshold nuclear power but with a negotiate a better agreement. That was still subversive forms of Iranian cheat- new set of tools and more resources to probably an indication of where we ing that are designed to test inter- hurt our interests and those of our al- were going. national resolve and establish a new lies in the region, including Israel. Despite that resistance, serious sanc- baseline for acceptable behavior. By I believe it is clear that the deal, as tions were enacted and Iran did come the way, based on past behavior, this is currently written, will set up a conven- to the table. I had hoped then that with likely. tional arms race in the Middle East. firm U.S. leadership—leading from the In addition, of course, the inspections The President says the alternative to regime is subject to side deals between front, not from behind—we would be this deal is war. In fact, a Middle East the United Nations, the International able to bring the international commu- bristling with arms will increase the Atomic Agency, and Iran that none of nity along to ensure that we did meet risks of war—increase the risks of war us are allowed to see. This is contrary, the criteria I talked about earlier, because of this deal. by the way, to the Iran review act that longstanding, U.S.-international cri- I have been involved in international was passed by Congress and was signed teria. Unfortunately, after reviewing negotiations. As U.S. Trade Represent- into law by the President of the United the terms of this agreement, it is ex- ative, I understand they can be tough. States. The language of that legisla- plicitly clear that these redlines, these I know both sides have to make conces- tion is pretty clear. It requires the law objectives, the criteria we have set out, sions, but I also know that does not to transmit to Congress ‘‘the agree- have not been met. mean the United States of America ment as defined in subsection (h)(1) in- We now have an obligation to reject concedes on fundamental principles, on cluding all related materials and an- this deal and begin to restore the con- the redlines. We have to have the cour- nexes.’’ sensus, both at home and abroad, that Then, when it talks about what that age to stand behind our legitimate pub- the Iranian Government must be iso- means it means, it says ‘‘including an- lic pronouncements, whether it is with lated economically and diplomatically nexes, appendices, codicils, side agree- the use of chemical weapons by the until it agrees to the longstanding ments, implementing materials, docu- Assad regime in Syria, whether it is terms on which the United States and ments, guidance, technical or other un- the violation of both Minsk cease-fire the international community have long derstandings,’’ and so on and so forth. agreements by the Russians and their insisted. Some will say that is fine, but It is all here. That is in the agreement proxies in eastern Ukraine or our com- that is impossible. I respectfully dis- that we had with the President of the mitment that Iran must stop and dis- agree. United States because it was part of mantle its march toward nuclear weap- I respectfully quote President the review act that he signed into law. ons. These are all things you negotiate. Obama, who has said repeatedly that Based on recent press reporting, of These are all things you have to be no agreement is better than a bad course we are also hearing that Iran firm on and tough on. It is not easy, agreement; meaning keeping the sanc- will be allowed to self-inspect, use its but as Americans that is what we do. tions in place is better than a bad own inspectors and equipment to re- There was a speech written that was agreement. I believe that is where we port on possible military dimensions of never given, that was meant to be are. This is a bad agreement. past suspected nuclear activity at one given on November 23, 1963. It was the Among the many serious flaws of this of its most secretive and important day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. deal is the fact that Iran can continue military facilities at Parchin. He said in that speech about America’s research and development on more ad- Allowing a country accused of hiding role: Our generation, our Nation, by vanced centrifuges and can resume en- a secret and illegal nuclear weapons destiny—rather than choice—are the richment in 15 years, providing, at program to implement verification watch guards on the walls of world best, only temporary relief. Inspec- measures for a facility where this pro- freedom. tions, one of the most important safe- gram is believed to have been hidden That is who we are. We have to be guards we have, are not anywhere, any- certainly undermines the President’s tough in these negotiations and stand time, as was talked about by the ad- claim that the Iran deal ‘‘is not built tall. Other countries look to us to be ministration. Under this deal, Iran can on trust, it is built on verification.’’ tall, to help build the consensus. That delay the inspection of suspected nu- Perhaps, most troubling is that this is what we had to do, and I believe we clear sites for up to 24 days—and there agreement ends Iran’s international did not do in this what I am sure was is even a process to get to those 24 isolation without ending the behavior a very difficult negotiation. days. If the Iranians cheat, as they that caused Iran to be isolated in the We have to honor our redlines. If we have in the past, we would have to em- first place. expect them to be effective in pro- ploy a convoluted process to convince As the world’s leading state sponsor moting peace and stability, we must the international community to re- of terrorism, based on our own State lead. In particular, we have to say

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What I see here I come to the issue of the Joint Com- for peaceful purposes, they have vio- is everything is negotiable. That is the prehensive Plan of Action with Iran as lated the international will, as ex- message, I am afraid, this agreement someone who has followed Iran’s nu- pressed by various U.N. Security Coun- will send. clear ambition for the better part of cil resolutions, and by deceit, decep- The administration’s position is that two decades. tion, and delay advanced their program the only alternative to this agreement Unlike President Obama’s character- to the point of being a threshold nu- is war. That is what they are saying. ization of those who have raised seri- clear State. As noted, if anything, I think this ous questions about the agreement or It is because of these facts and the agreement will further destabilize an who have opposed it, I did not vote for fact that the world believes Iran was already turbulent region, but there is the war in Iraq, I opposed it—unlike weaponizing its nuclear program at the Parchin military base—as well as de- an alternative. The alternative to this the Vice President and the Secretary of veloping a covert uranium enrichment bad deal is a better deal. Supporters of State who both supported it. My vote facility in Fordow, built deep inside a this agreement have compared this against the Iraq war was unpopular at mountain, raising serious doubts about agreement to Ronald Reagan’s arms the time, but it was one of the best de- the peaceful nature of their civilian control negotiations with the Soviets. cisions I have ever made. I have not program—and their sponsorship of I want to just touch on that for a mo- hesitated to diplomatically negotiate state terrorism that the world united ment because I have heard a lot of that with our adversaries or enemies, as is evidenced, for example, by my vote for against Iran’s nuclear program. on the floor. I take a very different les- So in that context let’s remind our- the New START treaty with Russia. son from that analogy to Ronald selves of the stated purpose of our ne- I also don’t come to the question as Reagan. President Reagan succeeded gotiations with Iran. Simply put, it someone—unlike some of my Repub- by raising the pressure, not reducing was to dismantle significant parts of lican colleagues—who reflexively op- it. He increased the cost of bad behav- Iran’s illicit nuclear infrastructure to poses everything the President pro- ior until that behavior changed. He ensure that it would not have nuclear poses. didn’t strike a deal unless it fulfilled weapons capability at any time. We In fact, I have supported President the core goals he had laid out, his red- said we would accommodate Iran’s Obama—according to Congressional lines. He didn’t want a deal for a deal’s practical national needs but not leave Quarterly—98 percent of the time in sake, and he was patient. At the Rey- the region and the world facing the 2013 and 2014. On key policies—ranging kjavik summit in 1986, Ronald Reagan threat of a nuclear-armed Iran at a from voting for the Affordable Care Act walked away from what would have time of its choosing. In essence, we to Wall Street reform, to supporting been a major nuclear disarmament thought the agreement would be roll- the President’s Supreme Court nomi- treaty with the Soviets because he felt back for rollback. You roll back your nees, defending the administration’s the costs to U.S. national security infrastructure, we roll back our sanc- actions in the Benghazi tragedy, shep- were too high. He was criticized for tions. At the end of the day, what we herding within 1 vote for the authoriza- walking away, but he kept trying. He appear to have is a roll back of sanc- tion for use of military force to stop held firm, and 1 year later he success- tions and Iran only limiting its capa- President Assad’s use of chemical fully concluded negotiations on the in- bility but not dismantling it or rolling weapons when I was chairman of the termediate nuclear forces treaty. back. This body must not sign off on an Senate Foreign Relations Committee, What did we get? We get an alarm agreement that fails to honor our red- to so much more—I have been a reli- bell should they decide to violate their lines, that strengthens Iran’s desta- able supporter of the President, but my commitments and a system for inspec- bilizing influence in the region, and support is not and has not been driven tions to verify their compliance. That, does nothing to address the behavior by party loyalty but rather by prin- in my view, is a far cry from disman- that threatens our allies and our legiti- cipled agreement, not political expedi- tling. mate national security interests in this ency. When I have disagreed, it is based Now, while I have many specific con- country. on principled disagreement. cerns about the agreement, my over- We should reject this agreement with The issue before the Senate now is arching concern is that it requires no Iran and tighten those sanctions on a whether to vote to approve or dis- dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infra- bipartisan basis. The President should approve the agreement struck by the structure and only mothballs that in- then use the leverage that only Amer- President and our P5+1 partners with frastructure for 10 years. Not even one ica possesses to negotiate an inter- Iran. This is one of the most serious centrifuge will be destroyed under this national agreement that does meet the national security, nuclear non- agreement. Fordow will be repurposed, longstanding goals of the United Na- proliferation arms control issues of our Arak redesigned. The fact is everyone tions, of the international community, time. It is not an issue of supporting or needs to understand what this agree- of the United States of America, of this opposing the President. This issue is ment does and does not do so they can Congress, and of the President himself. much greater and graver than that, and determine whether providing Iran per- We can’t afford to get this one wrong, it deserves a vote. manent relief in exchange for short- folks. We owe it to our children and With this agreement, I believe we term promises is a fair trade. grandchildren to get this right. As I have now abandoned our long-held pol- This deal does not require Iran to de- noted in the beginning of my remarks, icy of preventing nuclear proliferation, stroy or fully decommission a single this is about what kind of a world they and we are now embarked not upon uranium enrichment centrifuge. In are going to inherit. preventing it but on managing it or fact, over half of Iran’s currently oper- I urge my colleagues in the Senate to containing it, which leaves us with a ating centrifuges will continue to spin join me in rejecting the deal and pur- far less desirable, less secure, and less at its Natanz facility. The remainder, suing a better way. certain world order. including more than 5,000 operating I yield back the remainder of my So I am deeply concerned that this is centrifuges and 10,000 not yet func- time. a significant shift in our nonprolifera- tioning, will merely be disconnected The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tion policy and about what it will and transferred to another hall at ator from New Jersey. mean in terms of a potential arms race Natanz, where they could be quickly Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, for in an already dangerous region. reinstalled to enrich uranium. 23 years as a member of the House For- Why does Iran, which has the world’s Yet we, along with our allies, have eign Affairs Committee and the Senate fourth largest proven oil reserves, with agreed to lift the sanctions and allow

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Considering the fact it was President ther pursue their destabilizing hege- Clearly, the question is: What did we Rouhani who, after conducting its fis- monic goals in the region. get from this agreement in terms of cal audit after his election, likely con- If Iran can afford to destabilize the what we originally sought? We lift vinced the Ayatollah that Iran’s re- region with an economy staggering sanctions, and at year 8 Iran can actu- gime could not sustain itself under the under sanctions and rocked by falling ally start manufacturing and testing sanctions and knew that only a nego- oil prices, what will Iran and the Quds advanced IR–6 and IR–8 centrifuges tiated agreement would get Iran the re- Force do when they have a cash infu- that enrich up to 15 times the speed of lief it critically needed to sustain the sion of more than 20 percent of their its current models. At year 15, Iran can regime and the revolution, the negoti- GDP—the equivalent of an infusion of start enriching uranium beyond 3.67 ating leverage was and still is greatly $3.4 trillion into our economy? percent, the level at which we become on our side. And if there is a fear of war in the re- concerned about fissile material for a However, the JCPOA, in paragraph 26 gion, it will be one fueled by Iran and bomb. At year 15, Iran will have no of the sanctions heading of the agree- its proxies, exacerbated by an agree- limits on its uranium stockpile. ment, says, ‘‘The U.S. Administration, ment that allows Iran to possess an in- This deal grants Iran permanent acting consistently with the respective dustrial-sized nuclear program and sanctions relief in exchange for only roles of the President and the Con- enough money in sanctions relief to temporary—temporary—limitations on gress, will refrain from reintroducing significantly continue to fund its hege- its nuclear program. Not a rolling or reimposing sanctions specified in monic intentions throughout the re- back, not dismantlement, but tem- Annex II, that it has ceased applying gion. porary limits. In fact, at year 10, the under this JCPOA.’’ This brings me to another major con- I repeat: The United States will have U.N. Security Council resolution will cern with the JCPOA, namely the issue to refrain from reintroducing or reim- disappear, along with the dispute reso- of Iran coming clean about the possible posing the Iran sanctions act that we lution mechanism needed to snap back military dimension of its program. For passed unanimously, which expires U.N. sanctions and the 24-day manda- well over a decade, the world has been next year and was critical in bringing tory access provision for suspicious concerned about the secret Iran to the table in the first place. sites in Iran. weaponization efforts conducted at the The deal enshrines for Iran and, in In two hearings I asked Treasury military base called Parchin. The goal fact, commits the international com- Secretary Lew and Under Secretary of we in the international community munity to assisting Iran in developing State Wendy Sherman whether the have long sought is to know what Iran an industrial-scale nuclear program, United States has the right to reau- accomplished at Parchin, not nec- complete with industrial-scale enrich- thorize sanctions to have something to essarily to get Iran to declare culpa- ment. snap back to, and neither would answer bility but to determine how far along Now, while I understand this pro- the question, saying only it was too they were in their nuclear gram will be subject to Iran’s obliga- early to discuss reauthorization. weaponization program so that we tions under the Treaty on the Non-Pro- But I did get my answer from the Ira- know what signatures to look for in liferation of Nuclear Weapons, I think nian Ambassador to the United Nations the future. it fails to appreciate Iran’s history of who, in a letter dated July 25 of this deception in its nuclear program and year, said: David Albright, a physicist and its violations of the NPT. It will, in the It is clearly spelled out in the JCPOA that former nuclear weapons inspector and long run, if we believe there is a viola- both the European Union and the United founder of the Institute for Science and tion, make it much harder to dem- States will refrain from reintroducing or re- International Security, has said, ‘‘Ad- onstrate that Iran’s program is not in imposing the sanctions and restrictive meas- dressing the IAEA’s concerns about the ures lifted under the JCPOA. It is understood military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear fact being used for peaceful purposes that the reintroduction or reimposition, in- because Iran will have legitimate rea- programs is fundamental to any long- cluding through extension of the sanctions term agreement . . . an agreement that sons to have advanced centrifuges and and restrictive measures will constitute sig- a robust enrichment program. We will nificant nonperformance which would relieve sidesteps the military issue would risk then have to demonstrate its intention Iran from its commitments in part or in being unverifiable.’’ is dual use and not justified by its in- whole. The reason he says an agreement dustrial nuclear power program. The administration cannot argue that sidesteps the military issues Within about a year of Iran meeting sanctions policy both ways. Either would be unverifiable is because it its initial obligations, Iran will receive they were effective in getting Iran to makes a difference if you are 90 percent sanctions relief to the tune of $100 bil- the negotiating table or they were not. down the road in your weaponization lion to $150 billion, not just in the re- Sanctions are either a deterrent to efforts or only 10 percent advanced. lease of frozen assets that don’t breakout or a violation of the agree- How far advanced Iran’s weaponizing amount to that amount, but also in re- ment or they are not. Frankly, in my abilities are has a significant impact newed oil sales of another million bar- view, the overall sanctions relief being on what Iran’s breakout time to an ac- rels a day as well as relief from sec- provided, given the Iranians’ under- tual deliverable weapon will be. toral sanctions in the petrochemical, standing of restrictions on the reau- The list of scientists the P5+1 wanted shipbuilding, shipping, port sectors, thorization of sanctions, along with the IAEA to interview were rejected gold and other precious metals, and the lifting of the arms and missile em- outright by Iran. After waiting over 10 software and automotive sectors. bargo well before Iranian compliance years to inspect Parchin, they are now Iran will also benefit from the re- over years is established, leaves us in a given 3 months to do all of their review moval of designated entities, including weaker position and, to me, is unac- and analysis before they must deliver a major banks, shipping companies, oil ceptable. report in December of this year. and gas firms from the U.S. Treasury If anything is a fantasy, it is the be- How the inspections and soil and list of sanctioned entities. ‘‘Of the lief that snapback without congres- other samples are to be collected are nearly 650 entities that have been des- sionally mandated sanctions, with EU outlined in two secret agreements the ignated by the U.S. Treasury for their sanctions gone and companies from U.S. Congress is not privy to. The an- role in Iran’s nuclear and missile pro- around the world doing permissible swer as to why we cannot see those gram or for being controlled by the business in Iran, will have any real ef- documents is because they have a con- government of Iran, more than 67 per- fect. As the largest state sponsor of fidentiality agreement between the

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But that assessment is un- tion outlining their obligations, but crued to Iran’s benefit to the tune of likely to be unequivocal because chances are they have violated those in the past as $10 billion—and pausing further reduc- slim that Iran will present all the evidence well. tions of purchases of Iranian oil and the agency wants, or give it the total free- So the suggestion of permanence in other sanctions pursuant to the origi- dom of movement it needs to follow up the allegations. Still, the report is expected to this case is only possible for so long as nal JPOA. Iran will continue to want be approved by the IAEA’s board, which in- Iran complies and performs according such relief as well as avoid a possible cludes the United States and other powerful to the agreement because the bottom military attack, so they are nations that negotiated the July 14 agree- line is, this agreement leaves Iran with incentivized to come back to the nego- ment. They do not want to upend their July the core elements of its robust nuclear tiating table. 14 deal, and will see the December report as infrastructure. We can provide specific parameters closing the books on the issue. The fact is, success is not a question for the administration to guide their It would seem to me what we are of Iran’s conforming and performing continued negotiations and ensure that doing is sweeping this critical issue according to the agreement. If that was a new agreement does not run afoul of under the rug. all that was needed, if Iran had abided Congress. A continuation of talks Our willingness to accept this process by its commitments all along, we would allow the reconsideration of just in Parchin is only exacerbated by the wouldn’t be faced with this challenge a few but a critical few issues, includ- inability to achieve anytime, anywhere now. The test of success must be, if ing the following: inspections, which the administration Iran violates the agreement and at- First, the immediate ratification by always held out as one of those essen- tempts to break out, how well will we Iran of the Additional Protocol to en- tial elements we would insist on and be positioned to deal with Iran at that sure that we have a permanent inter- could rely on in any deal. Instead, we point? national agreement with Iran for ac- have a dispute resolution mechanism Trying to reassemble the sanctions cess to suspect sites. that shifts the burden of proof to the regime, including the time to give Second, a ban on centrifuge R&D for United States and its partners to pro- countries and companies notice of the duration of the agreement to en- vide sensitive intelligence, possibly re- sanctionable activity, which had been sure that Iran won’t have the capacity vealing our sources and methods by permissible up to then, would take up to quickly break out just as the U.N. which we collected the information, most of the breakout time, assuming Security Council resolution and snap- and allow the Iranians to delay access we could even get compliance after sig- back sanctions are off the table. for nearly a month—a delay that would nificant national and private invest- Third, close the Fordow enrichment allow them to remove evidence of a ments had taken place. That, indeed, facility. The sole purpose of Fordow violation, particularly when it comes would be a fantasy. It would likely was to harden Iran’s nuclear program to centrifuge research and development leave the next President, upon an Ira- to a military attack. We need to close and weaponization efforts that can be nian decision to break out, with one of the facility and foreclose Iran’s future easily hidden and would leave little or two choices: Accept Iran as a nuclear ability to use this facility. If Iran has no signatures. weapons state or take military action. nothing to hide, they shouldn’t need to The administration suggests that Neither is desired, especially when Iran put it deep under a mountain. other than Iraq, no country was sub- will be stronger, economically resur- Fourth, the full resolution of the jected to anytime, anywhere inspec- gent, a more consequential actor in the ‘‘possible military dimensions’’ of tions. But Iran’s defiance of the world’s region, and with greater defensive ca- Iran’s program. We need an arrange- position, as recognized in a series of pabilities, such as the S–300 missile de- ment that isn’t set to whitewash this U.N. Security Council resolutions, does fense system being sold to them by issue. Iran and the IAEA must resolve not make it any other country. It is Russia. the issue before permanent sanctions their violations of the NPT and the Se- So the suggestion of permanency in relief, and failure of Iran to cooperate curity Council resolutions that created stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear with a comprehensive review should re- the necessity for a unique regime and weapon depends on performance. Based sult in automatic sanctions snapback. for anytime, anywhere inspections. The on the long history of Iran’s broken Fifth, extend the duration of the willingness to accept these limitations promises, defiance, and violations, that agreement. One of the single most con- are a dangerous bellwether of our will- is hopeful. Significant dismantlement, cerning elements of the deal is its 10- ingness to enforce violations of the however, would establish performance to 15-year sunset of restrictions on agreement as we move forward. up front, and therefore the threat of Iran’s program, with off-ramps starting If what President Obama said in his the capability to develop a nuclear after year 8. We were promised an NPR interview of April 7, 2015—‘‘a weapon would truly be permanent, and agreement of significant duration, and more relevant fear would be that in any attempt to rebuild that infrastruc- we got less than half of what we are year 13, 14, 15 they have advanced cen- ture would give the world far more looking for. Iran should have to comply trifuges that enrich uranium fairly than 1 year’s time. for as long as they deceived the world’s rapidly, and at that point breakout The President and Secretary Kerry position, so at least 20 years. times would have shrunk almost down have repeatedly said the choice is be- Sixth, we need agreement now about to zero’’—is true, it seems to me, in es- tween this agreement or war. I reject what penalties will be collectively im- sence, this deal, at best, does nothing that proposition, as have most wit- posed by P5+1 for Iranian violations, more than that kick today’s problem nesses—including past and present ad- both small and midsized, as well as a down the road for 10 to 15 years. At the ministration members involved in this clear statement as to the so-called same time it undermines the argu- issue—who have testified before the grandfather clause in paragraph 37 of ments and evidence of suspected viola- Senate Foreign Relations Committee the JCPOA, to ensure that the U.S. po- tions we will need because of the dual- and who support the deal but reject the sition about not shielding contracts en- use nature of their program to con- binary choice between the agreement tered into legally upon reimposition of vince the Security Council and the or war. If the P5 had not actually sanctions is shared by our allies. international community to take ac- achieved an agreement with Iran, Separately from the agreement but tion. would we be at war with Iran today? I at the same time, we should extend the It is erroneous to say this agreement don’t believe so. authorization of the Iran Sanctions permanently stops Iran from having a I believe we can still get a better Act, which expires in 2016, to ensure nuclear bomb. Let us be clear. What deal, and here is how: We can dis- that we have an effective snapback op- the agreement does is to recommit Iran approve this agreement without reject- tion.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.053 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6575 We should immediately implement that when the nuclear sunset clause ex- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Fifteen the security measures offered to our pires, Iran will have succumbed to the minutes. partners in the gulf summit at Camp benefits of commerce and global inte- Mr. CORKER. I thank the Presiding David, while preserving Israel’s quali- gration; hope that the hardliners will Officer. tative military edge. have lost their power and the revolu- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The as- The President should unequivocally tion will end its hegemonic goals; and sistant Democratic leader. affirm and Congress should endorse a hope that the regime will allow the Ira- Mr. DURBIN. The Senator from Vir- declaration of U.S. policy that we will nian people to decide their fate, unlike ginia can proceed. use all means necessary to prevent Iran the green revolution of 2009. Hope is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- from producing enough enriched ura- part of human nature, but unfortu- ator from Virginia. nium for a nuclear bomb, as well as nately it is not a national security Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise building or buying one, both during strategy. The Iranian regime, led by to join my colleagues in speaking on and after any agreement. After all, the Ayatollah, wants above all to pre- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- that is what Iran is committing to. We serve the regime and its revolution, so tion. should authorize now the means for it stretches incredulity to believe they While this deal is far from perfect, I Israel to address the Iranian threat on signed on to a deal that would in any believe it is the best option available their own in the event Iran accelerates way weaken the regime or threaten the to us right now for preventing Iran its program. goals of the revolution. from obtaining a nuclear weapon. We must send a message to Iran that I understand this deal represents a I share many of the concerns with neither their regional behavior nor nu- tradeoff, a hope that things may be dif- this agreement that have been ex- clear ambitions are permissible. If we ferent in Iran in 10 to 15 years. Maybe pressed by my colleagues, but the push back regionally, they will be less Iran will desist from its nuclear ambi- choice I ultimately had to make was likely to test the limits of our toler- tions. Maybe they will stop exporting between accepting an imperfect deal or ance toward any violation of a nuclear and supporting terrorism. Maybe they facing the serious ramifications agreement. will stop holding innocent Americans throughout the world if Congress re- The agreement that has been reached hostage. Maybe they will stop burning jects a deal that has the support of the failed to achieve the one thing it set American flags. Maybe their leadership international community, including out to achieve—it failed to stop Iran will stop chanting ‘‘Death to America’’ many of our allies. from becoming a nuclear weapons state in the streets of Tehran. Or maybe As I reviewed this agreement, I kept at a time of its choosing. In fact, in my they won’t. two fundamental questions in mind: view, it authorizes and supports the I know that in many respects it No. 1, does this agreement advance the very roadmap Iran will need to achieve would be far easier to support this deal, goal of keeping Iran free of nuclear its target. as it would have been to vote for the weapons, and No. 2, is there a viable al- I know the administration will say war in Iraq at the time. But I didn’t ternative that would be superior to that our partners will not follow us, choose the easier path then, and I am this deal? that the sanctions regime will collapse not going to now. My devotion to prin- As many colleagues before me have and that they will allow Iran to pro- ciple may once again lead me to an un- outlined, this deal outlines a signifi- ceed—as if our allies weren’t worried popular course, but if Iran is to acquire cant reduction in Iran’s fissile material about Iran crossing the nuclear weap- a nuclear bomb, it will not have my stockpile, reducing their uranium ons capability threshold anymore. I name on it. stockpile by 98 percent. It restricts heard similar arguments from Sec- It is for these reasons that I will vote Iran’s production capacity and com- retary Kerry when he was chairman of for cloture and to disapprove the agree- pletely removes their ability to the Foreign Relations Committee, as ment. produce weapons-grade plutonium. It well as from Wendy Sherman, David Mr. President, I yield the floor. further limits Iran’s research and de- Cohen, and others, when I was leading The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- velopment activities. These reductions the charge to impose new sanctions on ator from Tennessee. and restrictions on Iran’s nuclear in- Iran. That didn’t happen then, and I Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, just in- frastructure will extend Iran’s break- don’t believe it will happen now. quiring—it is my understanding that out time from a matter of months to at Despite what some of our P5+1 Am- Senator WARNER and Senator COONS least 1 year over the next 15 years. bassadors have said in trying to rally are to speak now. Is that correct? This agreement also established a support for the agreement—clearly, The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is verification regime that includes con- since they want this deal, they are not no order to that effect. tinuous inspections. With the assist- going to tell us they are willing to pur- Mr. CORKER. It is my understanding ance of our intelligence community, sue another deal, echoing the adminis- that we have agreed to that. verification goes beyond the four cor- tration’s admonition that it is a ‘‘take The PRESIDING OFFICER. Time is ners of this agreement. What this it or leave it’’ proposition—our P5+1 under the control of the Democratic means is that we will have signifi- partners will still be worried about leader. cantly more information about Iran’s Iran’s nuclear weapons desire and the Mr. CORKER. How much time is left? nuclear program with this deal than we capability to achieve it, and the United That is really what I was getting at. would have without it. States is the indispensable partner to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The as- The other major question we have to ultimately ensure that doesn’t happen. sistant Democrat leader. ask is, Is there a viable alternative to They and the businesses from their Mr. DURBIN. I would say to the Sen- this deal? I have given those opponents countries and elsewhere will truly care ator from Tennessee through the Chair, numerous opportunities to convince me more about their ability to do business it is my understanding that we have there was a viable alternative. The in a U.S. economy of $17 trillion than two 5-minute segments now. Senator conclusion I have reached is that there an Iranian economy of $415 billion. And WARNER and Senator COONS each claim is not. the importance of that economic rela- 5 minutes. I have been a strong supporter of tionship is palpable as we negotiate T- Mr. CORKER. It is my under- tough international sanctions that TIP, the Transatlantic Trade and In- standing, then, that we will have that helped bring Iran to the negotiating vestment Partnership agreement. and then we move to an alternating table in the first place. Since I have At this point, it is important to note session until the time of the vote. Is been in the Senate, I have supported that, over history, Congress has re- that correct? every important piece of sanctions leg- jected outright or demanded changes to The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is islation passed by Congress. But during more than 200 treaties and inter- equally divided time until the vote, my deliberations, I spoke with rep- national agreements, including 80 that after the time allotted for the Demo- resentatives of many foreign govern- were multilateral. cratic leader. ments—not the EU or the P5+1 entirely Whether or not the supporters admit Mr. CORKER. And there is 10 min- but also those nations, particularly in it, this deal is based on hope—hope utes left on the Democratic side? Asia—about whether they would be

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This Chamber dozens of years prior, just U.S. unilat- tions Committee and my colleague, has a history of voting on critical na- eral sanctions alone are not enough. and the Senator from Colorado, who tional security issues at a 60-vote I have determined that moving for- will speak following me, are among threshold, and I would have preferred ward with this international agree- many whom I have closely consulted. an up-or-down vote on the merits. But, ment is our best option now to advance As was just remarked upon on the floor as too often happens, politics have pre- U.S. and world security. by the talented Senator from Virginia, vailed, and this will likely be the only I know we have other Members who this is a deal with flaws and with chal- vote we will have on this agreement. want to speak, but let me add a couple lenges that we must work together to So this vote serves as the vote on the of final comments. address. I am hopeful and eager to find substance. While I support this deal, I believe that path with the administration and In 2003, Iran was operating approxi- there are additional actions Congress with my colleagues to ensure that we mately 164 centrifuges and had vir- can and should take to strengthen it. I do everything we can to deploy the full tually no enriched uranium. By 2009, want to make sure that we—the United measure of America’s military and eco- when the current administration took States—have the ability to respond to nomic capabilities to ensure the secu- office, Iran had between 4,000 and 5,000 any Iranian activities with all means rity of Israel and to ensure that this centrifuges installed. at our disposal. agreement—now that it is clear it will Over the next few years, Congress While the inspections provided in move forward—is fully, thoughtfully, passed increasingly tough sanctions this deal will give us better insight, and thoroughly implemented. that the administration, to its credit, there is more we can do. I am working I want to rise briefly to address what set out to implement. As a member of with my colleagues—both supporters I understand is now a scheduled cloture the banking committee in 2010, I helped and opponents of the deal—on efforts vote at 3:45 today. On critical and his- write and pass those sanctions. to shore up its weaker points. I will toric issues such as the nuclear agree- By 2013, even in the grasp of the work to clarify that Congress retains ment with Iran, I think the American toughest international sanctions re- the ability to pass sanctions against people deserve to know how their indi- gime, Iran’s nuclear program had raced Iran for nonnuclear misbehavior. My vidual Members of Congress—whether forward. hope is that in future legislation, we in the Senate or the House—will vote The country had 19,000 centrifuges in- will spell out that this agreement will as their representatives. Over the years stalled, 10 bombs worth of enriched not shield foreign companies if sanc- that I have served here, there have uranium, and 2 to 3 months’ breakout tions must be reimposed because of Ira- been far too many issues that were de- time to a bomb. nian violations. And I will seek more cided by a procedural vote—by a clo- The harsh reality is that today Iran reporting from the administration, in- ture vote—rather than by getting to stands on the threshold of a nuclear cluding on how Iran uses any funds re- the substance of the underlying issue. I weapon. ceived through sanctions relief. think the American people deserve bet- So we have to weigh the agreement Moving forward, I will work with col- ter than to have a critical issue such as against this set of facts. leagues on both sides of the aisle to en- this complex deal ultimately resolved Our goal throughout this process has sure Israel’s security. I will press the with a procedural vote. been clear: to prevent Iran from acquir- administration and work with my col- As we proceed to that vote later ing a nuclear weapon. leagues to ensure that Israel preserves today, I wanted to let those who are Like many Members of this Chamber, a qualitative military edge. I will look watching know that is not the end of I have undertaken an exhaustive re- for ways to strengthen our commit- debate on this issue. If the cloture vote view of the agreement and a lengthy ments to Israel and support additional fails, as I believe it will, it means we consultation process. efforts to stop Iran from advancing will simply continue the debate and This included briefings from our own both the nuclear agenda and from may take up another vote or several national security and intelligence ex- other efforts to destabilize the region. votes next week. perts, international verification ex- Let me assure you that this agree- This morning leader REID made a fair perts, regional experts, former Israeli ment is the beginning and not the end offer to Senator MCCONNELL, the ma- military and intelligence officials, and of our combined international efforts jority leader, on this floor to have a the P5+1 Ambassadors as well as to keep Iran free—not just today and single up-or-down vote by a 60-vote Israel’s Ambassador to the United not just for the next 15 years but for- margin, to clearly show the American States. ever—from having a nuclear weapon. people how every Member of this My conclusion is that the JCPOA is Before my colleague from Delaware Chamber feels about this deal—to allow more likely to prevent Iran from ac- speaks, I want to thank him for his ef- us to vote on the substance. It is my quiring a nuclear weapon than the forts and many of us who spent a great hope that the majority leader will re- plausible alternatives. For that reason, deal of time the last few weeks of Au- consider and that either today or next I will vote to support the agreement. gust talking about how we could build week we will have the opportunity to It is no surprise to me that there are upon this agreement to make it strong- have that up-or-down vote and to let sincere, heartfelt differences of opinion er. He received assurances from the the American people know exactly about the merits of this deal. I have President and letters. I know that he where each of us stands and then get to deep concerns about what the shape of and I and others are working on how the demanding and difficult work of Iran’s nuclear program could look like we can even move beyond those assur- building a bipartisan coalition to deal beyond the 15 year horizon. But I also ances to make sure that we can look with the challenges of this deal, to in- believe that implementation of this back on this agreement and recognize sist on effective deterrence of Iran’s agreement is the best of bad options. that we move not only the issue of nuclear ambitions and to find a path If Congress rejects this agreement, peace but the issue of security going together to joining the international Iran will receive billions of dollars of forward. community that is joined in the imple- sanctions relief and there will be no I yield the floor. mentation of this deal. oversight of its nuclear program. That The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. CAS- Mr. President, I yield the floor. is an unacceptable result. SIDY). The Senator from Delaware. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Some have argued that the United Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I would ator from Colorado. States could reject this agreement in like to thank my colleague from the Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I would favor of returning to the negotiating great State of Virginia and a number of like to speak on the agreement the table. But this logic only holds if the

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We should seize this op- but also it will be a far richer nation clearly better than the alternatives. portunity to play a constructive role in and one that has more conventional The agreement is the best option for addressing these threats. weapons and military technology than preventing Iran from acquiring a nu- Our young men and women in the it possesses today.’’ clear weapon, and it maintains all of Armed Forces have been asked to sac- This doesn’t end the nuclear program our options to respond to a move by rifice so much. None of us can have any as the President stated was his goals. Iran to break out to a bomb. doubt that, if called upon again, they It continues it. It paves a patient path- The agreement doesn’t eliminate the would rise to any challenge, anywhere way to an industrialized nuclear com- deep concerns I hold about Iran’s hor- in the world. We honor their courage plex in Iran. With the blessings of the rific acts of terror and its hegemonic and spirit of sacrifice by exhausting world community, a flourishing econ- pursuits, but all of Iran’s malevolent diplomatic options before we turn to omy, a lifting of the conventional arms acts would only be more dangerous if military ones. This isn’t a sign of embargo, a lifting of the ballistic mis- backed by a nuclear weapon. weakness but proof of our strength. sile embargo—and that is a good deal We must also help our closest ally in And it will help us rally our allies to for us? the region, the State of Israel, defend our side if ultimately we need to turn Over the last several days, I have itself. Let me be clear. The survival of to military action. heard colleague after colleague who are the State of Israel is essential to the Our primary objectives are to pre- supporting this deal come to the floor security of the Jewish people, and, as vent Iran from having a nuclear weap- to say things such as: This deal is far as I am concerned, Israel’s survival on, make sure Israel is safe, and, if pos- flawed. It is not the best. It needs im- is essential to our humanity. sible, avoid another war in the Middle provement. Since when did a bad op- For these reasons and for our own se- East. This agreement represents a tion in the Senate become the only op- curity, we cannot allow Iran to acquire flawed but important step to accom- tion in the Senate? Since when did sec- a nuclear weapon, and we must be crys- plish those goals. I yield the floor. ond, third, fourth, fifth best for this tal clear that we will use force to pre- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- country become the best for this coun- vent it from doing so. In fact, we will ator from Tennessee. try? have more credibility to use force if Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, it is my Several months ago I had the oppor- this agreement is in place, and we will understanding that we are now going tunity—as have many colleagues—to have more legitimacy when we work to to have brief comments, alternating visit with Prime Minister Netanyahu build an international coalition to re- between the two sides. We will begin to talk about the dance of porcupines spond to Iranian cheating. with Senator GARDNER. created by entering this deal—the nu- There are risks to the successful im- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- clear tripwire that will be set up be- plementation of the agreement, and ator from Colorado. cause this does not end Iran’s nuclear the President and Congress must now Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I wish program. Through this deal, we have work to make it stronger. I have to thank the chairman of the Foreign given up the golden nuggets of leverage worked with others in the Senate to Relations Committee for his work to that we had with Iran—our leverage of push the administration toward that get us to this point, the countless hear- sanctions that were beginning to work. goal. ings he has held, the briefings that we In fact, in the briefings that we have Since the announcement of the have had to fully understand the fine all attended, analysts have said that agreement, I have also worked with details and to scrutinize every aspect our sanctions are eroding support for Senator CARDIN to develop a legislative of the agreement that is now before us. the regime daily, hurting their econ- package to address the accumulated I also wish to thank the ranking mem- omy, devaluing their currency, and shortcomings of our policies towards ber and the Senator from New Jersey bringing them to the table. Yet the Iran and to strengthen the agreement. for their tireless efforts on the com- deal that we have allows continued Among other measures, our legisla- mittee when it comes to the process uranium enrichment, repeal of U.N. tion will ensure that we track the re- that is before us. resolutions, and removal of the Iran sources Iran obtains from sanctions re- Make no mistake. There is not a sin- nuclear issue from their agenda. That lief and work with our regional part- gle Member in this body, in the Senate is the benefit of the bargain that the ners to counter conventional Iranian or House of Representatives, or the United States is about to enter into. threats. It also invests in our intel- American public who would complain We heard talk over the past several ligence capabilities and provides Israel about the President’s initial goals—the days about status quo versus hypo- deterrence to ensure Iran cannot shield goals he laid out as recently as October thetical. Here is the status quo that we covert systems and facilities, no mat- of 2012, as he began negotiations with will be entering into: a status quo that ter how deeply they are buried. Iran. in 5 years allows conventional arms to As we implement this agreement, we I quote the President: resume in Iran, a status quo that will must set in place a strategy with our Our goal is to get Iran to recognize it needs allow ballistic missiles to resume in 8 partners to ensure that Iran appre- to give up its nuclear program and abide by years and advanced centrifuge research ciates the consequences of its viola- the U.N. resolutions that have been in place. to continue. tions, for the next 15 years and beyond. . . . But the deal we’ll accept is—they end As the chairman of the committee My grandparents, John and Halina their nuclear program. It’s very straight- stated yesterday, talking about how Klejman, and my mother Susanne forward. one IRH centrifuge could replace vast Klejman had everyone and everything But the deal we got from the admin- numbers of the current centrifuges they knew taken from them in the Hol- istration is anything but the straight- they have today, they will be allowed ocaust. Yet, as my grandmother always forward ending of a nuclear program. I to keep apparently all for radioisotope told me, they were the lucky ones— have listened very carefully to the purposes. they had the chance to rebuild their hearings we have held. I have listened Why do they need ballistic missiles shattered lives in a country that ac- to the classified briefings. I have stud- and conventional arms for radiation cepted them and let them succeed be- ied the language of the text—language treatment? We have desanctioned and yond their wildest dreams. that says things such as this: ‘‘Re- delisted numerous individuals, people We live in dangerous times, and quests for access pursuant to provi- who were the fathers of the Iranian nu- whether you support the agreement or sions of this JCPOA will be made in clear program, the A.Q. Khan of Iran, not, we must develop a cohesive strat- good faith, with due observance of the delisted, desanctioned under this deal. egy for U.S. policy in the Middle East sovereign rights of Iran, and kept to Conglomerates of companies like IKO that addresses the grave security con- the minimum necessary to effectively are delisted and desanctioned under cerns in the region. Separate from implement the verification responsibil- this deal. These are a group of compa- Iran’s nuclear program, the region is ities under this JCPOA.’’ nies that were sanctioned in 2003 not

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This deal suffi- heard today, yesterday, and the day be- sive Plan of Action for the past 53 days. ciently blocks the four pathways to get fore, the sanctions the United States I have spent countless hours reading, to a bomb. There is no shortcut to a has apparently aren’t enough, and that being briefed and poring over the intel- nuclear bomb. This deal fundamentally is why we have to enter into this deal. ligence. I have diligently worked to addresses that fact. Yet we have, as Juan Zarate said, the make an informed decision, one that First, it blocks Iran’s ability to have Sword of Damocles holding over Iran’s weighs risk and considers a future 10, weapons-grade plutonium. The Arak head with the snapback provisions that 15, 25 years from now. Without ques- reactor would be redesigned. Spent fuel apparently are good enough when we tion, this vote is among the most seri- would be sent out of Iran in perpetuity. do them on our own. ous I have taken. This vote has monu- Efforts to use Arak for weapons-grade One of the things that hasn’t been mental and enduring consequences. plutonium would be detected. talked about very much over the past Throughout my review of this deal, Second, it drastically cuts Iran’s ura- several weeks is a letter that Secretary my questions have been: How does this nium enrichment capabilities by reduc- Kerry sent to every Senator on Sep- deal affect the safety and security of ing Iran’s inventory of active cen- tember 2. I think that was around the the United States? And how does this trifuges at Fordow and Natanz. The same day that enough votes were deal affect the safety, security and via- deal also monitors the uranium supply achieved to block or sustain the Presi- bility of Israel? chain and procurement channel for 25 dent’s filibuster. For all my time in both the House years. In the first paragraph of this letter and Senate, I have been an unabashed Third, it reduces Iran’s uranium that every Senator received, there are and unwavering supporter of Israel. I stockpile below levels needed to make two sentences that I want to make sure have persistently supported the sanc- a single bomb. It cuts the uranium everybody here recognizes. tions that brought Iran to the table. I stockpile by 98 percent, to 300 kilo- We share the concern expressed by many in have been insistent on foreign aid and grams, for 15 years. It puts uranium en- Congress regarding Iran’s continued support military assistance to Israel that richment of the remaining stockpile at for terrorist and proxy groups throughout maintains its qualitative military edge 3.67 percent. the region, its propping up of the Asad re- on missile defense. With the horrors of Fourth, by blocking the pathways, it gime in Syria, its efforts to undermine the the Holocaust in mind, I have been makes it very difficult for Iran to de- stability of its regional neighbors, and the deeply committed to the need for a velop a separate covert program. threat it poses to Israel. Jewish homeland, the State of Israel, In answering my second and third In the very next sentence, Secretary and its inherent ability to defend itself, questions—is it verifiable? do inspec- Kerry goes on to say: and for the United States to be an un- tions work to detect overt and covert We have no illusion that this behavior will wavering partner in Israel’s defense. I violations of the agreement?—I have change following implementation of the have been and always will be com- found that this deal provides sufficient JCPOA. mitted to those principles. verification and inspection mecha- We have no illusion that Iran’s be- I took an extensive review of this nisms. The IAEA has extensive access havior will change. That is the status deal. I took a workman-like approach, to Iran’s declared nuclear sites, mak- quo. covering every aspect of the deal: mili- ing the detection of violations and a The letter goes on to detail what we tary, intelligence, diplomatic, eco- covert program more likely. The IAEA are going to do once this deal is en- nomic. I actually read the deal, both also has direct access to centrifuge tered into: the classified and the unclassified manufacturing sites to conduct inspec- Additional U.S.-GCC working groups are annex. I met the U.S. diplomats, nu- tions on short notice. Under Iran’s ad- focused on counterterrorism, military pre- paredness . . . and the goal of building polit- clear experts and the national security ditional protocol, the verification and ical support for multilateral U.S.-GCC bal- staff who negotiated the deal. I ac- inspection process has also been sci- listic missile defense (BMD) cooperation. tively participated in every classified entifically reviewed and validated by So we are going to enter into some and unclassified briefing available to the U.S. Department of Energy’s nu- deals to fight ballistic missiles that me. I took the additional step of trav- clear scientists and endorsed by 29 of this deal allows in 8 years. eling to Vienna to meet with the Direc- the Nation’s top scientists, including The letter goes on to say that we will tor General of the IAEA and his tech- several Nobel prizewinners who de- push back against Iran’s arms trans- nical staff to evaluate for myself, first scribed the inspection process as ‘‘inno- fers. Conventional arms embargoes will hand, the inspection and verification vative and stringent.’’ be lifted in 5 years. The letter then requirements. I have listened to my In answer to my fourth question— goes on to say that we will work on constituents, including leaders in the what is the impact of a 24-day delay to Iran’s Missile Technology Control Re- Jewish community. I did my home- get inspections?—the IAEA will have gime guidelines about the transfer of work. daily access to Iran’s declared nuclear sensitive systems, such as ballistic Throughout, I asked the tough ques- facilities: Natanz, Arak and Fordo. The missile technology, and yet this deal tions. And I questioned the answers to 24-day process would apply to allows ballistic missiles in 8 years. those questions. These were my key undeclared sites only. These would be The letter goes on to say: questions: No. 1, does this agreement sites where the IAEA suspects Iran is U.S. support for Israel and our Gulf part- block the four pathways to a nuclear conducting covert nuclear activities. ners has never been a partisan issue, and we bomb: highly enriched uranium at In answer to my fifth question—does believe these proposals would receive wide Natanz, highly enriched uranium at the IAEA have the capacity to imple- bipartisan support. Fordow, weapons grade plutonium, and ment the agreement?—I would say, yes. This is a partisan deal with bipar- covert attempts to produce fissile ma- After visiting the IAEA in Vienna and tisan opposition, and I will submit that terial? No. 2, is it verifiable? No. 3, do delving into the organization, I believe the only element of bipartisanship on inspections work to detect overt and that it has sufficient expertise to im- the Senate floor today is the opposi- covert violations of the agreement? No. plement this deal. But all nations in- tion. 4, what is the impact of a 24-day delay volved in its funding, including but not I urge my colleagues to vote to in- to get an inspection? No. 5, does the limited to the United States, have to voke cloture. The American people de- IAEA have the capacity to implement be aggressively involved in monitoring serve to know where the United States the agreement? No. 6, what sanctions the resources of the organization. Senate stands and deserves to know will be lifted, when and under what In answer to my sixth question— where their Members of the Senate conditions? No. 7, do snapback sanc- what sanctions will be lifted, when and stand with the United States. tions really have a snap? No. 8, if we under what conditions?—the parts of

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After all, the Iranians chant Under the agreement, however, no have concluded that this Joint Com- ‘‘Death to America,’’ not ‘‘Death to sanctions will be lifted until Iran takes prehensive Plan of Action is the best Democrats,’’ not ‘‘Death to Repub- key steps: limits its uranium enrich- option available to block Iran from licans,’’ not ‘‘Death to our President,’’ ment program, resolves issues with having a nuclear bomb. For these rea- but ‘‘Death to America.’’ Just this possible military dimensions, converts sons, I will vote in favor of this deal. week, the Iranians again labeled Amer- the Arak facility, and allows for proper However, Congress must also reaffirm ica the Great Satan. inspections. And these steps must be our commitment to the safety and se- So this vote is about empowering an certified by the IAEA, which will de- curity of Israel. evil, terror-sponsoring regime and con- liver its key assessment of possible The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tinuing this history or seizing the mo- military dimensions on December 15. ator from Illinois. ment to change history. If this deal is When these requirements are met, Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, please approved, in just a few years, Iran may the U.S. will lift sanctions in key sec- advise both sides of the time remain- test a nuclear device, as North Korea tors: oil and gas; banking and financial ing. did in 2006, just 12 years after a similar services; insurance related; shipping, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Re- nuclear agreement. With a rumbling ship building and transport; gold and publicans have 11 minutes 20 seconds, explosion that will shake the Earth, precious metals; software; and people, Democrats have 5 minutes 5 seconds. Iran may announce its status as a nu- including international travel visas. The Senator from Arkansas. clear power and the opening of a second That process will take 6 months to 1 Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, over the nuclear age that our Nation has strug- year. The sanctions are lifted, not ter- past 5 months, we have learned much gled so long to prevent. If Iran goes nuclear, history will not minated, and can be snapped back, per about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of remember kindly the Senators who the agreement. Action and the intentions of Iran’s supported this nuclear deal. It won’t Which takes us to my seventh ques- ayatollahs. We know the nuclear deal remember your hand-wringing, your tion—do snapback sanctions really will release billions of dollars to the anguished speeches, your brow- have a snap? Russia, China, India, and terrorist-sponsoring Iranian regime. furrowing. It won’t remember your gul- our European partners were very active We know Qasem Soleimani and other lible beliefs about the flawed inspec- members of the negotiations with a terrorists who have killed Americans tion system or unworkable enforce- common interest in Iran not having a will be relieved of international sanc- ment mechanisms. It won’t remember nuclear weapon. I believe they would tions. We know the side deals between your soft rationalizations that this support a snapback in sanctions if a the IAEA and Iran—side deals we have deal is ‘‘better than nothing’’ or ‘‘the yet to see in this Senate—may entrust violation was identified and verified. only alternative to war.’’ But the snapback sanctions mecha- the Iranian regime to collect its own History will remember your vote and nism, while innovative, is untested. verification samples at its most secret only your vote. It will remember that Finally, I have asked if we reject this nuclear facilities, allowing Iran to you opened the gate to Iran’s path to a deal what the alternatives are that monitor itself instead of insisting on nuclear weapon. It will remember you would be effective and achievable. I real, verifiable, and independent in- as the ones who flipped the strategic have considered the alternatives very spections. balance of the Middle East and the closely, but in the end, they don’t We know the right to enrich at all, world toward the favor of our enemies. present a more viable option to this which this administration conceded And it will remember you, this Senate deal. The two alternatives are more early on in these negotiations, will and this President, as the ones who, sanctions or military action. trigger an arms race in the Middle when given the chance to stop the Some have suggested we reject this East. Just this week, the ambassador world’s worst sponsor of terrorism deal and impose unilateral sanctions to from the United Arab Emirates told from obtaining the world’s worst weap- force Iran back to the table, but main- the chairman of the House Foreign Af- on, blinked when confronted with this taining or stepping up sanctions will fairs Committee that if this deal goes evil. only work if the sanction coalition through, the UAE may no longer abide A world menaced by a nuclear-capa- holds together. It is unclear if the Eu- by its nonproliferation agreements and ble Iran is a terrifying prospect. Over ropean Union, Russia, China, India, and may begin an enrichment program. I the past three decades, Iran has waged others would continue sanctions if Con- fear Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other a low-intensity war on the United gress rejects this deal. At best, sanc- countries may follow suit. States and our partners. Iran has fi- tions would be porous or limited to We know the ayatollahs—fresh from nanced and trained Hezbollah and unilateral sanctions by the U.S., but the negotiating table at Vienna—con- Hamas terrorists to do its bidding as these are the same reasons that the ef- tinue to lead Quds Day crowds in their proxy. Iran fueled the virulent in- ficacy of the snapback provision is chants of ‘‘Death to America’’ and surgency whose roadside bombs and questioned. If you don’t think snap- issue threats at our president and our suicide attacks devastated Iraq and back works, enhanced sanctions won’t people. sadly killed or maimed thousands of work either. And, yes, we know that the deal will American troops. And Iran has sowed There are also those who have pro- begin to expire in a mere 10 to 15 years, unrest throughout the Middle East and posed military action as an alternative unleashing a nuclear-capable Iran on propped up Syrian dictator Bashar al- to end Iran’s nuclear program, but tak- the world, free of international sanc- Assad, creating a crisis that has en- ing military airstrikes against Iran tions, with a healthier economy, and gulfed the entire region and that is fast would only set the program back for 3 without the restraints that American spreading beyond its borders and other years. It would not terminate the pro- diplomacy has painstakingly cul- parts of the world. gram. Iran would continue to possess tivated over the past decade. Iran has done all of this without nu- the knowledge of how to build a bomb But, in the end, our vote on the Iran clear weapons. Should it be allowed to and could redouble its resolve to obtain nuclear deal won’t turn on any of these continue enrichment and conduct re- a weapon, completely unchecked. Iran particulars. Ultimately, this vote isn’t search and development on nuclear would almost certainly use Hezbollah about specific centrifuge numbers or technology—as this deal lets it—the or other proxies to attack Israel or enrichment levels or the exact scope of ayatollahs will grow even more brazen, conduct terrorist or cyber attacks sanctions relief. No, it is simpler than fearsome, reckless, and insulated from against U.S. interests. The military op- that. conventional forms of deterrence and tion is always on the table for the This vote is about history. It is about pressure. Upon the expiration of this United States. We are not afraid to use the responsibility of this Senate and deal—or its repudiation by the aya- it. But military action should be the the greatest Republic in history. It is tollahs at a time of their choosing—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.064 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 Iran’s strategy of terror and intimida- tary option—although we must have mune to any sort of credible military tion will become nuclearized. that option in our quill—a military op- threat because the price of a military That is the world we may face in a tion will not solve the problem and it strike would be too high, and then they few short years because of your votes. has a lot of collateral consequences. become an established nuclear weapons That is the threat we will confront if I hope we can work together, because power. Never in the history of the you bestow your blessing on a nuclear that is what is in the best interest of world has such a regime ever possessed program run by the anti-American, the U.S. Senate. That is what is in the weapons so capable of destruction. anti-Israel, Jihadist regime in Tehran. best interest of the United States of Iran is led by a supreme leader who is So we should soberly recognize that America. a radical Shia cleric with an apoca- the context of this vote isn’t a debate I look forward to working with Sen- lyptic vision of the future. He is not a that is fast coming to a close. The con- ator CORKER and all members of the traditional geopolitical actor who text isn’t demagoguery or backroom Senate Foreign Relations Committee makes decisions on the basis of borders pressure from a lameduck President, and the U.S. Senate to see how Con- or simply history or because of ambi- and it isn’t the effect of this vote on gress can work together with our tion. He has a religious apocalyptic vi- our political fortunes. President so that we can achieve that sion of the future—one that calls for The context for this vote is the broad goal. triggering a conflict between the non- sweep of history. With that, I yield the floor. Muslim world and the Muslim world, In late 1936, Winston Churchill spoke The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- one that he feels especially obligated on the years of British appeasement in ator from Florida. to trigger. And he is going to possess the face of German rearmament. He ob- Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I will be nuclear weapons? This is the world served: brief. I know the Senator from Ten- that we are on the verge of leaving our The era of procrastination, of half-meas- nessee would like to close on this mat- children to inherit and perhaps we our- ures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of ter. selves will have to share in. delays, is coming to a close. In its place we I think everything that needs to be So I want to be recorded for history’s are entering a period of consequences. said about the details of this deal has purposes if nothing else to say that Churchill’s words are as true today already been said. I do want to be re- those of us who opposed this deal un- as they were then. We are entering a corded for history’s purposes, although derstood where it would lead, and we period of consequences. Because of I know what is going to happen in re- are making a terrible mistake. I fear your vote today, the consequences may gards to this if it goes through. Iran that the passage of this deal will make well be nuclear. God help us all if they will immediately use the money in it even harder for us to prevent it. I are. sanctions relief to begin building up its hope there is still time to change our I yield the floor. conventional capabilities. It will estab- minds. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- lish the most dominant military power But here is the good news. Iran may ator from Maryland. in the region outside of the United have a Supreme Leader, but America Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I am States, and it will raise the price of us does not. In this Nation, we have a re- pleased that shortly we will have a operating in the region. They are going public, and soon we will have new lead- chance to vote. I would have preferred to build anti-access capabilities, rock- ers, perhaps in this chamber but also in the vote to be on the final passage of ets capable of destroying our aircraft the executive branch. I pray on their the resolution with the 60-vote thresh- carriers and ships, continue to build first day in office they will reverse this old. I regret that was not agreed to. these swift boats, these fast boats that deal and reimpose the sanctions and I will vote what I think is in the best are able to swarm our naval assets so back them up with a credible threat of interest of our country, to keep Iran that it will make it harder and harder military force, or history will condemn from becoming a nuclear weapons for U.S. troops to be in the region. us for not doing what needed to be done state, and our best chance to avoid a They will also work with other ter- in the world’s history. military option. I have already indi- rorist groups in the region to target I yield the floor. cated that I intend to oppose the agree- American service men and women. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ment and I have given my reasons on They may or may not deny that they ator from Illinois. the floor and I will not repeat them at are involved, but they will target us Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, a lot has this moment. and raise the price of our presence in been said about the impact of this But I wish to speak about what hap- the Middle East until they hope to agreement. I would like to speak for a pens after this vote is over and what- completely pull us out of that region. moment about the impact of no agree- ever votes take place next week, with They will also continue to build long- ment. What if the Republicans and the deadline being next Thursday. At range missiles capable of reaching the those who oppose this agreement have that time, I hope everyone here recog- United States. Those are not affected their way and this agreement goes nizes that it is important for us to put by this deal, and they will continue to away? Iran is still a nuclear threshold division aside. I wish to remind some of build them as they have been doing. state. If you have your way and stop my colleagues of what happened 14 Then, at some point in the near fu- this agreement, the result will be lit- years ago on a vote with Iraq, the au- ture, when the time is right, they will erally leaving in Iran the capacity to thorization for force. I voted against build a nuclear weapon, and they will build 10 nuclear weapons today. And that resolution. And when that vote do so because at that point they will the timing on that: 2 to 3 months be- was over, Democrats and Republicans, know that they have become immune, fore they have the fissile material for a proponents and opponents, joined to- that we will no longer be able to strike nuclear weapon—if you have your way gether to support our troops and our their nuclear program, because the and kill this agreement. mission under the leadership of Presi- price of doing so will be too high. That is some holiday surprise, that if dent Bush to give America the best This is not just the work of imagina- we walk away from this agreement, chance for its foreign policy to suc- tion; it exists in the world today. It is this effort for inspection, Iran could de- ceed. called North Korea, where a lunatic velop a nuclear weapon. That is the re- So when the votes are over, I hope possesses dozens of nuclear weapons ality. If you have your way, there will that Democrats and Republicans, pro- and a long-range rocket that can al- be no inspectors. Iran will be closed off ponents and opponents of the plan will ready reach the United States, and we to the world. How can that possibly work towards congressional involve- cannot do anything about it. An attack make the Middle East safer for Israel ment. Working with the President on North Korea today would result in or for any other country in the world? gives us our best opportunity to pre- an attack on Tokyo or Seoul or Guam How can it make it safer if we as a coa- vent Iran from becoming a nuclear or Hawaii or California. So the world lition who have worked so hard to weapons state and gives us the least must now live with a lunatic in posses- build this agreement fail in the effort? risk of using a military option. I say sion of nuclear weapons. What I have listened for during the that because my colleague from Mary- This is the goal Iran has as well—to last 3 days of debate is any suggestion land outlined that very clearly. A mili- reach a point where they become im- from the other side of the aisle about

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.066 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6581 what is the alternative to this agree- a nonbinding political commitment The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- ment. Now, some have been bold and that he was going to take this imous consent, the mandatory quorum enough to say it is military, and we agreement directly to the U.N. Secu- call has been waived. shouldn’t wince at the prospect of a rity Council—he was not going to cause The question is, Is it the sense of the military solution. One Senator on the it to be a treaty, but he was going to Senate that debate on amendment No. other side of the aisle said 4 days is all cause it to be an agreement that he 2640, offered by the Senator from Ken- we need to take them out; we will take could execute without our involve- tucky, Mr. MCCONNELL, to H.J. Res. 61, care of Iran. I have heard that before, ment—because of the fact that we shall be brought to a close? I say to my friends. I heard it before brought Iran to the table through the The yeas and nays are mandatory the invasion of Iraq where we were sanctions that we collectively put in under the rule. going to be greeted as liberators, and it place, we rose up and we passed a bill The clerk will call the roll. would be a matter of weeks before our on a 98-to-1 basis that allowed us to go The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 58, troops would be coming home. It didn’t through this process we are going nays 42, as follows: turn out that way. through today. [Rollcall Vote No. 264 Leg.] What we are trying to do and what I want to thank Senator CARDIN, who YEAS—58 the President is trying to do is to start has been an outstanding ranking mem- Alexander Fischer Paul a diplomatic process to avoid the mili- ber. I want to thank Senator MENENDEZ Ayotte Flake Perdue tary option, to avoid a war. That is before him, who was an outstanding Barrasso Gardner Portman why I am supporting it. I think it is chairman and ranking member. Blunt Graham Risch Boozman Grassley Roberts the right thing to do. I am sorry that What this agreement said we would Burr Hatch Rounds the vote we are about to cast here is a do is we would debate. I want to stop Capito Heller Rubio procedural vote. Twice, Senator REID Cardin Hoeven Sasse there and say that I think we have had Cassidy Inhofe Schumer has asked Senator MCCONNELL to give a dignified debate. People on both sides Coats Isakson Scott us a straight, up-or-down, clean vote Cochran Johnson of the aisle have handled themselves as Sessions on this question of disapproval by a 60- Senators, and I am very proud of that. Collins Kirk Corker Lankford Shelby vote margin, and twice Senator The other piece of that was that we Cornyn Lee Sullivan MCCONNELL has objected and insisted would vote, that we would let the peo- Cotton Manchin Thune instead on this procedural vote. We ple of this country know where we Crapo McCain Tillis know where everyone stands. Everyone Cruz McConnell Toomey stood. We have a bipartisan majority Daines Menendez Vitter in this chamber has publicly declared that disapproves of this deal. The most Enzi Moran Wicker where they stand on this matter. That substantial foreign policy people on the Ernst Murkowski should be the rollcall that we take Democratic side oppose this deal. Al- NAYS—42 next. Unfortunately, we are faced with ways we have known that yes, we were Baldwin Gillibrand Nelson a procedural rollcall. going to do this under regular order, Bennet Heinrich Peters I will close by saying one word about and under regular order what that Blumenthal Heitkamp Reed the Members on this side of the aisle. means is there is this procedural vote Booker Hirono Reid For 6 weeks I have contacted them— Boxer Kaine Sanders where the Senate decides that debate Brown King Schatz and in fact harassed them—asking has ended and we are going to move to Cantwell Klobuchar Shaheen them what they were going to do on a final vote. We are at that juncture, Carper Leahy Stabenow this important question. For any peo- Casey Markey Tester and I ask my colleagues on the other Coons McCaskill Udall ple who are critical of this Senate, be- side of the aisle that on a 98-to-1 basis Donnelly Merkley Warner lieving it is too superficial and too par- voted to allow us to vote to now vote Durbin Mikulski Warren tisan, I will tell you that on this side of yes on this cloture motion, to allow Feinstein Murphy Whitehouse Franken Murray Wyden the aisle they took their time, they the Members of this Senate, who have read the agreements, they were briefed handled themselves so responsibly, to The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this by the intelligence agencies and De- be able to record on a majority basis vote, the yeas are 58, the nays are 42. partment of Defense, and they made up where we stand on this issue. Three-fifths of the Senators duly cho- their mind and announced their posi- The majority of the people in the sen and sworn not having voted in the tion publicly. It is a proud moment for Senate believe that this deal that has affirmative, the motion is rejected. this institution because I think that is been negotiated is not in the national The majority leader. what we all believe to be our responsi- interest of this country, will not make CLOTURE MOTION WITHDRAWN bility. our Nation or the Middle East safer, Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I As we close this debate, I ask those and I hope that all of us are going to ask unanimous consent to withdraw who support the agreement to vote no have that opportunity to vote after we the cloture motion with respect to H.J. on the cloture motion. pass this procedural hurdle. I hope that Res. 61. I yield the floor. all Members will vote to allow this to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- proceed to a final vote within the next objection? ator from Tennessee. few days. Mr. REID. No objection. Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, before I With that, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without make closing comments, I ask unani- objection, it is so ordered. CLOTURE MOTION mous consent to waive the mandatory CLOTURE MOTION quorum call with respect to the cloture The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I vote this afternoon. send a cloture motion to the desk for The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Senate the pending cloture motion, amendment No. 2640. objection? which the clerk will state. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- Without objection, it is so ordered. The legislative clerk read as follows: ture motion having been presented Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, I wish CLOTURE MOTION under rule XXII, the Chair directs the to begin by thanking the vast majority We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- clerk to read the motion. of this body for the fact that over—for ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the The legislative clerk read as follows: four times since 2010, Members of this Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby body almost unanimously passed sanc- move to bring to a close debate on Senate CLOTURE MOTION tions that brought Iran to the table— amendment No. 2640. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- people on both sides of the aisle. I want Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, James ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Lankford, Kelly Ayotte, John Thune, Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby to thank people for that. Cory Gardner, Mike Crapo, Ron John- move to bring to a close debate on Senate I want to thank this body for another son, Joni Ernst, Tom Cotton, James M. amendment No. 2640. reason. When we realized that the Inhofe, Thad Cochran, Bill Cassidy, Pat Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, John President was going to negotiate with Roberts, Johnny Isakson, Jerry Moran, Barrasso, Bob Corker, Steve Daines, Iran and do so through what was called John McCain. David Perdue, Tom Cotton, Susan M.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.067 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 Collins, Deb Fischer, Shelley Moore ple from the very start. We all remem- real shelf life. This is a regime that is Capito, Mike Crapo, Ron Johnson, Cory ber the President didn’t want to sub- still going to be there a year and a half Gardner, Marco Rubio, Lamar Alex- mit it to us at all. It was going to be an from now. ander, James M. Inhofe, Mike Rounds. executive agreement, it is still an exec- And, of course, as we know, it is an CLOTURE MOTION utive agreement, and he didn’t want us Executive agreement only. So if, per- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I to have any say at all. chance, there is a President of a dif- send a cloture motion to the desk for Senator CORKER and Senator CARDIN ferent party, I would say to our Iranian H.J. Res. 61. worked together and developed a pro- observers of the debate that it will be The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- posal—overwhelmingly proposed and looked at anew based upon Iranian be- ture motion having been presented supported—to give us a chance to havior between now and then. under rule XXII, the Chair directs the weigh in on this important deal. As others have said, the Iranian Par- clerk to read the motion. It would empower Iran to maintain liament is apparently going to get to The legislative clerk read as follows: thousands of centrifuges and to become weigh in. I heard the chairman of the CLOTURE MOTION a recognized nuclear-threshold state, Foreign Relations Committee say that. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- forever on the edge of developing a nu- I guess they are going to get a vote. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the clear weapon. That is what is before us. But our friends on the other side Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby It would effectively subsidize want to employ a procedural device, move to bring to a close debate on H.J. Res. Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Assad re- which, as the Democratic leader has 61, a joint resolution amending the Internal gime in Syria—which, by the way, is pointed out, is commonly used here, Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt employees with health coverage under TRICARE or the now going to apparently include a Rus- but the question is, on what kind of Veterans Administration from being taken sian military base in Syria—by show- measure is it used? into account for purposes of determining the ering tens of billions of dollars on their This is no ordinary measure. This is employers to which the employer mandate benefactors in Tehran. different. applies under the Patient Protection and Af- It would leave Iran with an enrich- So we will have another opportunity fordable Care Act. ment capability just as the Iranian to see whether we want to move past Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, John leadership is again calling for Israel’s this procedural device. Barrasso, Bob Corker, Steve Daines, destruction and praying every day for The President is proud of the deal. I David Perdue, Tom Cotton, Susan M. our destruction. This deal is sure to don’t know why he would be reluctant Collins, Deb Fischer, Shelley Moore Capito, Mike Crapo, Ron Johnson, Cory have many consequences that will last to veto a resolution of disapproval that Gardner, Marco Rubio, Lamar Alex- well beyond this administration. is put on his desk. He is having press ander, James M. Inhofe, Mike Rounds. Yet as things presently stand, it conferences about it. He is bragging The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- would limp along with little or no buy- about it. He thinks this is really great. jority leader is recognized. in or input from Congress or from the I don’t know what they are pro- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, the American people—who we know over- tecting him from. I would think he issue before us is of immense con- whelmingly opposed the deal in spite of would have a veto ceremony and invite sequence to our country. The American the President’s best efforts to sell it to all you guys to join him and celebrate. people are entitled to a real voice and them. This shouldn’t be an acceptable What are you protecting him from? to know where their elected Senators outcome for our friends on the other We will have a chance next week, one stand on this important issue. side, even those who support the deal. more chance, to allow him to say how Until recently, this was a principle I predicted earlier—and I predict again he feels about the resolution of dis- Members of both parties seemed to en- today—we are going to have a raft of approval. We know how he feels about dorse rather overwhelmingly. In fact, new bash-Iran proposals introduced by it already. For the life of me, I can’t not a single Democrat—not one—voted our friends on the other side, who are get why he is reluctant to veto this against the Iran Nuclear Agreement going to be born again Iran bashers. resolution of disapproval, in effect, un- Review Act. We all recall it passed 98 So let me make it clear to all of our derscoring again what a great deal he to 1. They told us this was an issue too colleagues, we have voted, we are going thinks it is for America. important for political games. to vote again, but we are voting on the So we will revisit the issue next week This is what one Democratic col- Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. and see if maybe any folks want to league said just last week: We are not going to be taking up bills change their minds and give us a As a caucus that was opposed to games that have fewer than enough cospon- chance to remove the procedural road- with filibusters over the last four years, I sors to override a Presidential veto. If block and give the President what he would think it would be really regrettable if we want to make a law, as we did with has been asking for. we didn’t ultimately go to the floor and cast Corker-Cardin, show us enough cospon- I yield the floor. our votes for or against this deal. sors to make a law, but we are not in- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The But that was last week, apparently. terested in using floor time for get-well Democratic leader is recognized. Democratic Senators just voted to fili- efforts over on the other side to try to Mr. REID. Mr. President, I want to be buster and block the American people fool their constituents into thinking: as respectful of my friend as I need to from even having a real vote on one of Oh, I really, really was serious about be, but let’s speak reality. the most consequential foreign policy Iran, in spite of the fact that I voted We are in a Congress that is domi- issues of our time. for the deal that you hate. nated by the Republicans. They control It is telling that Democrats would go We only have so much floor time in the House by a large margin, and they to such extreme lengths to prevent the Senate. We are going to try to use control the Senate by a large margin. President Obama from even having to it on serious proposals that have a The legislation that is before this consider legislation on this issue. If the chance of becoming law, and my as- body was proposed, legislated, and President is so proud of this deal, then sumption is the President is not going brought to us by Republican leader- he shouldn’t be afraid. to want to revisit this issue. He got ship. It is their legislation, not ours. We all know the amount of time the what he wanted. He is not going to I didn’t spend all my time in my of- administration has spent here asking want to revisit this issue. So if we fice visiting with people today; I all of these guys to take a bullet for want to do anything further about this watched the speeches. It was stun- the team—and, of course, the team is Iranian regime, bring me a bill with ning—the nonreality that is facing my Team Obama. They all wanted to have enough cosponsors to override a Presi- Republican friends. They dwelled, a a say. When it came time to have a dential veto, and we will take a look at number of them, on what is going on in say, they said it was more important it. the Middle East. Not once—not once— that the President not have to veto a Otherwise, the American people will did anyone mention the worst foreign- resolution of disapproval—more impor- give us their judgment about the ap- policy decision ever made by our great tant to him than to them. propriateness of this measure 1 year country, the invasion of Iraq. It has de- This is a deal that was designed to go from November because this is not an stabilized that part of the world for a around Congress and the American peo- ordinary issue. This is an issue with a long, long time to come. For what? So

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.075 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6583 my friends can blame all the problems friend the Republican leader—is some- this historic agreement to prevent Iran in the Middle East on the President, thing that is important. There is no from obtaining a nuclear weapon will but they are blaming the wrong person. question that this measure has been stand. We can’t take what we have because controversial. Also, using his words, is So I say, my fellow Americans—and I they want to rewrite history. History this legislation of enormous impor- say that with all respect for everybody is as it is, and people are writing his- tance? I think so. At least that is my who is out there listening or will read tory as it is. mind. about this—our allies and negotiating Now the part of history that they are Quoting from a little while later: partners around the world should know trying to rewrite is history that is tak- So who gets to decide who is wasting time that today’s outcome was clear, deci- ing place in this body. We offered, on around here? None of us have that authority sive, and final. There is now no doubt two separate occasions, publicly before to decide who is wasting time. But the way whatsoever that the United States the American people and in this body: you make things happen is you get 60 votes Congress will allow this historic agree- Do you want a vote? We will let you at some point, and you move the matter to ment to proceed. Efforts by opponents have a vote. Both times it was objected conclusion, and the best way to do that is to to derail this agreement were soundly to because in the convoluted reasoning, have an open amendment process. That is the way this place used to operate. rejected by a margin much larger than I guess, of my friend, he thinks that anyone thought achievable even a few And I say ‘‘used to operate.’’ That is people who are watching all of this days ago. have no common sense and can’t under- my own editorial comment. Any future attempts, as my friend is Two or three months later: stand the English language. talking about, to relitigate this issue— We offered to have a vote on this on Madam President, reserving the right to I guess we will be in a position like two separate occasions. It was objected object, what we are talking about is a per- petual debt ceiling grant, in effect, to the with the Affordable Care Act. Are we to both times. Now, the inane response President. Matters of this level of con- going to try to repeal it 60 times? Are is you are filibustering this. I know troversy always require 60 votes. So I would we going to try to break that record? why there are filibusters because we ask my friend, the majority leader— Any future attempts to relitigate this have had to file cloture more than 600 Referring to me as the majority lead- issue in the Senate will meet the same times because of filibusters by the Re- er— outcome and will be nothing more than publicans. Never in the history of the if he would modify his consent request and wasted time—time we can’t afford to country has there ever been anything set the threshold for this vote at 60? waste with a government shutdown close to it. I am not going to be reading these looming in a matter of weeks, more of Now, what were most of those filibus- forever, but I will read one more: the disarray of my friends the Repub- ters on? On motions to proceed. On this licans. We are not making up closing legislation that came before this body, Well, as we all know, it takes 60 votes to do everything except the budget process. We government. The government was we said we don’t need a vote on a mo- anticipate having a vote to proceed to the 20- closed 2 years ago for almost 3 weeks. tion to proceed, go to the bill, go to it. week Pain-Capable bill sometime before the So we take those threats seriously. We also said, as part of the agreement, end of the year as well. And I would hope we could get around let the leader offer the first amend- That was just the early part of Au- to doing something about that rather ment, and he did that. gust of this year. than having wasted cloture motions on Now, a 60-vote threshold, my friend So, Mr. President, my friend is in a something on which we agreed to have talks as if: Oh, wowee, where in the dire situation, and I understand that. a vote. Filibusters are an effort to stop world did this come from? Why would The House is in a terrible state of dis- debate. We said when I came in here they ever consider 60 votes on this? array. They do not know what they are First, I know it is late in the day. I Tuesday—Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurs- going to do. On one hand, what they didn’t bring the subject up, but my day—if you want more time than that say they are going to do is—the Presi- friend the Republican leader is talking to debate, go ahead and do it. We are dent can’t send the papers to them. So about a world that doesn’t exist any- not in any way stopping debate, as was they want to have a vote on that. The more. And who created this world that done by my Republican colleagues hun- papers didn’t come to them. And then doesn’t exist anymore? My Republican dreds of times in years past. So this they turn right around and are going to friends. can be relitigated. Let’s do it over 60 This is July 30, 2011, from Senator vote on a resolution of approval. I times to try to break the Affordable MCCONNELL: guess they do not need the papers for Care Act record, if you choose, but this Now, look, we know that on controversial that. Then they are going to vote on matter is over with. It is something of matters in the Senate, it has for quite some more sanctions. Then they don’t know such importance, but we should move time required 60 votes. So I would say again what they are going to do. It is very on to something else. We have so much to my friend, [that is me] it is pretty hard to unusual, when one party controls both to do in this body—so much to do. make a credible case that denying a vote on branches of the bicameral legislature, We have our highway situation that your own proposal is anything other than a that they do not know how to work to- is deteriorating. We have hundreds of filibuster. gether, but obviously they are not thousands of bridges that are in a state A little while later: working together here. So I understand of disrepair and need refurbishing and I wish to make clear to the American peo- my friend’s frustration. This is a situa- some of them need to be replaced. ple Senate Republicans are ready to vote on tion where he has lost the vote, and it Today I met with the regional trans- cloture on the Reid proposal in 30 minutes, is a situation where he is simply not in portation authority, someone who rep- in an hour, as soon as we can get our col- leagues over to the floor. We are ready to touch with reality as it exists. resents 80 percent of the population in vote. By requiring 60 votes, particularly on a So I want to say to everyone within our State. We are in desperate shape matter of this enormous importance, it is the sound of my voice that the Senate all over Nevada as far as doing some- not at all unusual. It is the way the Senate has spoken and has spoken with a clar- thing about highways, but we are not operates. ion voice and declared that the historic doing anything about highways, we are Another one, a few months later: agreement to prevent Iran from obtain- fiddling around on that patching stuff. Mr. President, I can only quote my good ing a nuclear weapon will stand. That We had something done, and I was friend [that is me] the majority leader who is what this agreement is all about. It happy to get that done. has repeatedly said, most recently in early is about whether Iran should have a We have cyber security issues. As we 2007, that in the Senate it has always been nuclear weapon. And the countries you are here talking right now in this body, the case we need 60 votes. This is my good wouldn’t think would be involved in we have groups, individuals, and coun- friend the majority leader when he was the leader of this majority in March of 2007, and supporting something such as this— tries trying to hack us—they are not he said it repeatedly both when he was in the they know the importance of it them- trying; they are doing it. We have not minority or leader of the majority, that it selves, and they agreed to go along had the ability to get cyber security requires 60 votes certainly on measures that with this agreement. They helped us legislation before this body. It is some- are controversial. negotiate it. China, Russia—they thing we have brought up as an after- There is no question the measure be- agreed to it. The Senate has spoken thought. We have Senator BURR and fore this body—using the words of my with a clarion voice and declared that Senator FEINSTEIN and the bill they

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.079 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 produced. It is not my favorite. I think what these folks over here are pro- I want to say a word about partisan- we could do better than that. But I sup- tecting him from. ship. port their legislation. We have to do You guys should all be invited down Let me start with a word to all of my something. Let’s start someplace doing to the veto signing. Break out the colleagues. I respect your position on something that is important for the champagne, celebrate, take credit for this deal however you voted. I am not American people. it. You own it. here to stand and name-call or chastise So I say to everyone here that it is I yield the floor. anybody who reaches a different posi- time we move on to something else. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mi- tion on this bill than I do because it is This matter is over. You can continue nority leader. a hard matter, and I don’t think we to relitigate it, but it is going to have Mr. REID. Mr. President, one last serve the body well by challenging the same result. thing. I recognize my friend is going to folks who reach a different position. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- be next, and I am going to be very Let me say a word about process. The jority leader. short here. allegation has been made on the floor Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, as I am glad my friend brought up my in recent days that this vote, including the Democratic leader frequently re- vote on Iraq. I have stated on national the vote that was just taken, was minded me when he was the majority TV, I have stated every chance I get somehow a procedural blocking of the leader, the majority leader always gets that the biggest mistake I ever made in vote on the deal. That is just not the the last word. my public service was voting for that case. I enjoyed hearing the Democratic bill. And I learned it quickly. It was I was one of the coauthors of the re- leader’s history lesson, going back, as I just a matter of a few short months view act that is currently before us, recount—I am sure I will leave some after I voted that I realized I had been and as we worked on the act in the For- out—to the Iraq war resolution, which misled in voting for that. But that eign Relations Committee, everyone he voted for, as did Hillary Clinton, to doesn’t matter. I voted for it, and, as understood that it would take 60 votes a recitation of past debates from some say in some circles, I have re- to pass either a motion of approval or ObamaCare, to you name it, including pented publicly for having done that. disapproval. We worked on the act in complaining about highways, a bill So my feeling about the Iraq war has January and February—months before Senator BOXER and I worked on and ac- not changed, the mere fact I had voted a framework was on the table. Demo- tually passed that he voted against, for that. crats wanted a 60-vote threshold for a which hopefully will soon be in con- I would also say this in closing: I motion of disapproval, but Republicans ference, but none of that has anything hope the one thing we can agree on wanted a 60-vote threshold for a mo- to do with what is before us today. here as Democrats and Republicans is tion of approval, and that was the un- The issue before us today is the Iran that the ability of Iran for the next 15 derstanding of everyone in the com- nuclear agreement. We know how the years to build a nuclear weapon is pret- mittee when we cast a 19-to-0 vote to American people feel about it. They are ty well taken care of. No one has to pass this in early April, and it was overwhelmingly opposed to it. We agree with that part of my statement, clearly understood when we cast a 98- know how the Israelis feel about it. but the one thing I hope we can agree to-1 vote on the floor of this body. They are overwhelmingly opposed to it. on—I would hope we would work to- A 60-vote threshold was understood. We know our Sunni-Arab allies are now gether to make sure we continue, as in- It was so clearly understood that that visiting the Russians to talk about dicated in the letter Senator Kerry is the way we do things around here arms purchases because they do not wrote to everybody, all of us, and the that 47 Members of the Senate put that trust us anymore. We know the Presi- Cardin legislation—I hope everyone in a letter to the leaders of Iran. So dent wanted to transform the Middle will take a look at that because, as I this is not an unusual thing to ask for East, and, by golly, he has. Our friends said in a statement I gave on Tuesday a 60-vote threshold. In fact, the Demo- don’t trust us and our enemies are morning, I have looked at what was crats have asked twice in last 3 days: emboldened. suggested in the Kerry letter to make Let’s have an up-or-down vote on the So the issue is not over. The Demo- Israel more safe and more secure and motion of disapproval with a 60-vote cratic leader saying the issue is over some of the suggestions that Senator threshold—and our request for a vote doesn’t make it over. CARDIN had in his outline. These are on the merits has been twice blocked This agreement and the foreign pol- things on which I hope we can work to- by the majority. icy of this administration is best gether. Put this to one side for the I hope we will have a chance to vote summed up by Jimmy Carter. A couple time being. Let’s hope in the future we on the merits again next week under of months ago, he was asked to sum up can work together to make sure the the 60-vote threshold that we all agreed the Obama administration’s foreign only true democracy in that part of the to, but regardless of whether we do or policy, and this is almost a direct world, this ally of ours, is safe and se- whether we don’t, this is a completely quote. He said he couldn’t think of a cure. And we will continue everything transparent vote because all 100 Mem- single place in the world where we are we can to make sure they are, I repeat, bers of the Senate have indicated what in better shape now than we were when safe and secure. their position is. I respect everybody’s the President came to office. That is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- position, but it is very clear, and the Jimmy Carter. ate majority leader. clear rule is, under the review act we Foreign policy will be a big issue Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, just passed, by this vote this deal will going into 2016, and this agreement is a there is no question the Israelis need a now go forward as we agreed it would a metaphor for all of the mistakes this lot of reinforcement, no question they few months back. President has made. You name the area need to know for sure we are on their Partisanship. The majority leader of the world, and you will see the re- side because this administration has suggested the position that is being sults. So no amount of saying the issue just entered into an agreement that by taken on this side of the aisle is just to is over makes it over. It is still on the all objective standards could even protect the President. I find that in- floor of the Senate. We will have an op- threaten their very existence. So I sulting. That is basically saying that portunity again next week to move think there is no question the Israelis on this side of the aisle my colleagues past this procedural snag to give all need every reassurance we can possibly didn’t do the work to dig into the deal. Members of the Senate an opportunity give them. So let me just say a word about my to vote up or down on a resolution of I yield the floor. colleagues—my colleagues in the mi- disapproval, which we know is sup- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nority in this body. ported on a bipartisan basis. ator from Virginia. This deal was announced on the 15th And I end with this: There is bipar- Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I want to of July. Did anyone on this side of the tisan opposition to this deal—bipar- rise and offer some thoughts on the aisle run out and take a position on the tisan opposition to this deal. Only comments we just heard from the ma- deal within hours after it was out? Did Democrats support it. So if the Presi- jority leader and from our leader. I anyone on this side of the aisle say, dent is so proud of it, I can’t figure out want to say a word about process, and yes, I know what I am going to do and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.081 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6585 I haven’t even read the bill. Has this ginia indicating that somehow people over—I understand regular order, and side of the aisle in lockstep all taken on this side of the aisle did not study this bill was drafted under regular exactly the same position with respect this deal, did not spend time under- order. I got it. I understand that cer- to this bill? No. standing the details, and somehow peo- tainly the procedures in this body are On this side of the aisle, we haven’t ple on this side of the aisle, in a knee- that cloture is to end debate, and that approached it in a partisan way. On jerk way, made their decision. That is takes 60 votes. I got it. It doesn’t take this side of the aisle, every Member an insult, not something I would ex- but about a week here to understand took the time to master the details and pect—not something I would expect to the importance of cloture. make their own decision. Some an- come from my friend on the other side So I have always known, and I have nounced their decision a few days after of the aisle. said this, that a threshold to get us to the deal was announced, some an- I have enjoyed so much working with a place for final passage was going to nounced their decision 7 weeks after him and I will continue to. I respect be 60 votes. But we also passed the bill the deal was announced. On this side of him greatly. But, look, I don’t want to with 98 votes that said we wanted to the aisle there is a difference of opin- start tit-for-tatting this. Certainly vote. One Senator was missing who ion—42 of us support the deal, 4 of us do Senator FEINSTEIN came out imme- supported it. It would have been 99 to 1. not support the deal—but we respect diately in support of this, NANCY So, look, I understand there can be each other’s opinions, and we have ap- PELOSI came out immediately in sup- debate about filibuster and all of that, proached it as a matter of conscience. port of this, and no doubt there were but to say there was some So I categorically reject the state- some people on this side of the aisle preagreement—I mean, the text of the ment and the implication by the ma- that did the same. I came out in oppo- deal, the text of the Iran Nuclear jority leader that this is just some- sition for this after—after—two Demo- Agreement Review Act says that we thing over here that is being done cas- crats had come out in opposition. So I are going to go through regular order. ually to protect the President. I would wish those comments had not been We caught a lot of grief over that as a ask my colleagues in the majority: made. matter of fact. I am sorry. Compare the diversity of opinion and We had 12 hearings in the Foreign A lot of people on our side wanted a the time it took to reach an opinion Relations Committee, well attended by privileged motion. We understand the and the respect that we have for each people on both sides of the aisle. I just leader on the other side didn’t like other’s position—compare that on this take offense that somehow, because privileged vehicles because he felt he side of the aisle with your own track there is bipartisan opposition and only lost control of the floor. We discussed record on this bill, with the speed with partisan support—that somehow those that thoroughly last January. which people announced that they were who support are more bipartisan. Now, So, look, I understand how cloture is opposing it, some even admitting they I don’t know. That is a leap I have not used. I understand how cloture is used. were opposing it before they read it. heard. Contrary to the claim of the major- I have said hundreds of times that if I got it. I understand it takes 60 votes, ity leader that there is no bipartisan this deal achieved what the President people in here saying, yes, we agree support for this deal, I have to say, said it was going to achieve, I would be that we should end debate and, yes, we Senator John Warner, Republican, 36- voting for it. If this dismantled Iran’s want to move on. I know that hasn’t year Member of the Senate, chair of nuclear program, I would be voting for happened today. I understand a lot of the Senate Armed Services Committee, it. If this didn’t industrialize their pro- times cloture is used as a vote, as you wrote with Senator Carl Levin, former gram, I would be voting for it. He said just indicated you believe that it does, chair of the Senate Armed Services it would end their nuclear program. but I just want to say, again, there has Committee, ‘‘Why Hawks Should Sup- There would be 100 votes on the floor been no agreement. We understand the port the Iran Deal’’; Brent Scowcroft, for that. This is a far cry from that. threshold. We understand the hurdle. National Security Advisor for two Re- So I am sorry to have this kind of We understand we didn’t achieve it publican Presidents and general, conversation on the Senate floor, but I today. But to say that Members on this strongly supports this deal; GEN Colin have to say I have sat here listening to side somehow—because we agree with Powell, Republican, Secretary of State, the speeches. I think people on both the leading Members on the other side strongly supports this deal. There is bi- sides of the aisle have thought a great that this deal doesn’t accomplish the partisan support for this deal. It is just deal about this. I do think there has goals the President said he wanted to that in this body the minority has been been extreme pressure. My friends on achieve, that that makes us partisan, I willing to have differences of opinion the other side of the aisle have told me am sorry, I disagree. and respect those differences and not they have never been addressed in such We had many discussions in our of- approach this in a partisan manner. a personal manner by the administra- fice about the merits of this and the That is not exactly the case with re- tion—never. So, yes, there has been demerits of this. The fact is, I do think spect to the other side. I applaud my pressure. I understand that, by the this agreement is fatally flawed. I am colleagues for treating this as a matter way. If the shoe were on the other foot, despondent over the fact that when we of conscience, for reaching the conclu- it would be taking place. I got that. had a boot on the neck of this rogue sions they reached, even differences of But, look, I think the debate has nation that is the No. 1 exporter of ter- opinion, and respecting each other’s been thoughtful. I think, by and large, rorism around the world—when we had views. the vast majority of people on both a boot on their neck—we gave away Under the terms of the review act, as sides of the aisle have been thoughtful. our leverage, and in 9 months—in 9 we agreed to it, we have now taken a After the debate we have had, I am dis- months—they are going to have all vote. Unless the majority will allow us couraged that my friend on the other their money back, the major sanctions to have a vote on the merits, pursuant side of the aisle would indicate that relieved, and no apparent change of be- to the 60-vote threshold, this vote will somehow because there is bipartisan havior. Even Secretary Kerry in his stand and the deal will go forward. I opposition—bipartisan opposition—the letter to us said he doesn’t expect that. hope we can vote on the merits. I hope most informed Members on the other So, look, I am disappointed that we the majority will agree to let us do side of the aisle, the ranking member have agreed, that the administration what we agreed to do when we passed of the Foreign Relations Committee has agreed, and that, unfortunately, a the review act just a couple of months and the former ranking member and minority of people in this body agree, ago. chairman of the Foreign Relations and they have kept us from being able Mr. President, I yield the floor. Committee, are voting against that— to send a disapproval to the President The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- and because we happen to agree with to veto. I am disappointed, when an ator from Tennessee. the leading Members on the Demo- agreement has been agreed to by this Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, I was cratic side, we are partisan? So I am the President and by others that allows not planning to speak—I know Senator sorry. them to industrialize their nuclear pro- CAPITO is next in line—but I am really Now, back to the procedure. There is gram and gives them incredible—in- disappointed in my friend from Vir- no question—I have said this over and credible—economic access.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.084 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6586 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 I think maybe the Senator might try to understand this and really la- how you are going to vote. On a voice have responded to some recent com- bored on the issue. I know that because vote, you can almost say: Well, I voted ments on the floor. I hope that is the I made my official position known just yes or I voted no. Nobody can really case. But I haven’t seen anything but about a week ago, and I know in talk- pin you down on that. dignity on this floor over the last sev- ing to many colleagues the process I was one of the few Republicans in eral days, people being incredibly they went through. the house of delegates who voted in knowledgeable—which they never I don’t question the motives of any favor of making every single vote we would have been without this bill that Member. I think each Member is trying had a rollcall vote. I am pleased to say, the Senator from Virginia helped us to do what they believe is in the best the legislature didn’t change it that bring about, crucial, in helping make interests of our country. I know the year but they finally did change it. that occur. two Senators—I know them personally. As the Senator from Virginia said, But what has happened here is every- I am just making my own observations. everybody knows what everybody is body in this body now knows more I know that is how they believe also. going to do on this vote. I don’t under- about this than they ever would have. But I do think the process we set up stand what the controversy is to move Everyone has taken the time, I think, lent itself to getting the material, forward over the procedural motions to understand this in great detail. And waiting for the hearings, listening to and to then have that vote to have it as just because there are a few people who the administration make their point, a part of history. This is your rollcall come out quickly on our side and on reading the classified documents, try- vote. This is your voice on this Iran your side—and on your side—that ing to understand how the IAEA inter- agreement. I hope next week the body doesn’t diminish the fact that people acts in the review process—that it was changes its mind, we move forward, have arrived at their decisions based on important to understand all of that be- and we have an affirmative vote on the conscience as to whether they support fore drawing a conclusion. motion of disapproval. it or not. I am disappointed, on the I applaud most Members of the Sen- Today I want to talk, obviously, other hand, that we weren’t able to ate who dove into it in order for that about these issue because I have deep move beyond cloture and to a final to be the case. I needed to make that concerns about them. I believe that vote. point. I can tell you this: With Senator this debate should revolve around three With that, I yield the floor. CORKER and Senator KAINE, I really key questions. Will this agreement My understanding is Senator CAPITO feel blessed to serve on the Senate For- eliminate Iran’s path to a nuclear now has the floor. eign Relations Committee. I think our weapon? Will it improve the security Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, could I country is well served by both. I know situation in the Middle East? Will it ask my friend to yield to me for 2 min- that we are going to work together to make America safer for the young, for utes? And I apologize to my colleague, provide our country the strength it us, and for the future generations? but two of my favorite members of the needs to deal with the international Unfortunately, after much study I Senate Foreign Relations Committee— challenge and to carry out the respon- have concluded that the answer is no The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- sibility of the Senate. to all of these questions. I do not be- ator from Maryland. I thank the Senator for yielding. lieve the President’s agreement would Mr. CARDIN. Through the Chair, two I yield back. make America safer or our allies safer. of my favorite members of the Senate The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- To the contrary, the agreement will Foreign Relations Committee who have ator from West Virginia. provide Iran with the resources to con- been critically important to us having Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, before I tinue to finance terror throughout the this debate on foreign policy—Senator start my formal remarks, I would like Middle East and around the world. KAINE and Senator CORKER—they are to make a few comments about what Even if Iran were to comply with this two Members I deeply respect. has occurred in terms of the cloture agreement in full, this deal virtually Let me just make this observation. I vote and in terms of some of the dis- guarantees that Iran will become a nu- think Senator CORKER is absolutely cussion that we have had most re- clear threshold nation with an indus- correct. As a result of Senator KAINE cently. trial nuclear program. We know that. and Senator CORKER—and I am proud I wanted to react, first of all, to It is legitimized in this agreement. of the role I played—the Members of something the minority leader said in Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor the United States Senate have had his remarks. He basically said that we, of terrorism. Everybody has said that more information about a major for- as Republicans, are trying to rewrite in this body. It is acknowledged na- eign policy issue than in the history of history. He went into a long expla- tionwide. The windfall of cash that will this country. We have had the exposure nation of why he believed that. It real- flow to Iran—the signing bonus and the to classified briefings. We have had the ly struck me, with these young folks continuing impact of sanctions relief incredible opportunity to try to under- who are sitting right here in front of under this deal—will only increase its stand the JCPOA and to make our us. We are not trying to rewrite his- ability to prop up the Syrian regime, independent judgments on that. So I tory. We are trying to write a future finance Hezbollah, and threaten Amer- think this process has worked the way for these young kids that is safer, that ica’s allies such as Israel. it should work. is strong, where we as the United One of the actions you learn when I share disappointment that we States are making agreements that are you grow up is that past behavior is a couldn’t go to a vote on the merits in their best interests—not just for to- great predictor of future action. Even with a 60-vote threshold because I morrow or the next 5 years or 6 years as its own economy has been hampered think that was what was anticipated, but the next 30, 35, 40 years. I am not by the economic sanctions and the and we all understood it was going to interested in rewriting history. But pressure from those sanctions brought take 60 votes to move this. I think it writing history for the future I am in- Iran to the table, in the name of ‘‘our would have been better if we went di- terested in. people are suffering’’—whether it is rectly to that type of a vote rather The other reaction I have is that I food or whether it is economic condi- than what has gone forward. So I just am very disappointed in what has hap- tions—what have they been doing? want to underscore that. pened here, that we can’t have a They have been financing terror in The other point I want to under- straight up-or-down vote. When I was their region. Terrorism is a priority for score—and I agree with Senator in the West Virginia Legislature, in the them, even as their own people are suf- CORKER and Senator KAINE—is that house of delegates, believe it or not, fering. many Members of the Senate, in a rel- our votes were not taken. They were National Security Advisor Susan atively short period of time, made a de- voice votes, except in very rare occa- Rice agrees. She says: ‘‘We should ex- cision. They didn’t think it was a close sions when we would have a rollcall. pect that some portion of that money call, so they made their judgments. In We all know the difference between a would go to the Iranian military and reality, it was a lot more Republicans voice vote and a rollcall vote. A roll- could potentially be used for the kinds than Democrats. But that was the case. call vote is a part of history. People see of bad behavior that we have seen in A lot of Members took a lot of time to exactly what you are intending and the region up until now.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.085 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6587 That is the National Security Advi- passed that said that we were going to threatening. We stand now at the prec- sor. The President and the Secretary of have the right to debate this says ex- ipice of an environmental catastrophe. State have said that the sanctions will plicitly in the language that the side The burning of fossil fuels has un- snap back into place if Iran violates agreements were to be turned over to leashed a flood of carbon pollution that this agreement. I have been in Wash- Congress for our inspection before we is pushing the climate system ington now for 15 years. I have never made this vote. planetwide into conditions that are un- seen anything snap anywhere in the Finally, those who support ratifying precedented in human history. It has Halls of Congress. We know that the the Iran agreement frequently argue already permanently altered the world current sanctions against Iran cannot that the only alternative is war. I dis- that we will leave to future genera- be easily snapped back. We know that. agree. I reject that notion. Under that tions. If we keep sleepwalking through It doesn’t even pass the sniff test, as false misguided premise, the American this and allow the carbon flood to con- we say. people are being told we should simply tinue, we will leave even bigger It took more than a decade for the accept any deal, regardless of how changes and risk absolute catastrophe. United States, working with our allies, flawed it may be. When asked if our Last month marked the 10th anniver- to construct the sanctions that only option was the agreement or war, sary of Hurricane Katrina. When that brought Iran to the table. This type of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of storm made landfall in Southeast Lou- effective sanctions regime cannot be Staff said that ‘‘we have a range of op- isiana on August 29, 2005, it was a cat- brought back over and over. I have lis- tions.’’ egory 3 hurricane. Katrina’s 125-mile- tened to a lot of speeches. A lot of my The President’s agreement does not per-hour winds pushed a massive storm colleagues on both sides, no matter live up to the administration’s prior surge before it that overtopped New Or- how they voted, what they believe, statements on important items such as leans’ systems of levees and flooded the city. By the end, Katrina killed an esti- have said exactly the same thing. On inspections, elimination of advanced mated 1,200 people and caused more another note, we need to examine the centrifuges, and ballistic missiles. A than $100 billion in damage. Images of end of the international restrictions on better agreement with Iran could be broken levees, flooded streets, and peo- selling ballistic missile technology to forged from the positions taken by sen- ple stranded on their rooftops are ior administration officials during the Iran and the end of the conventional seared into our national memory. This arms embargo contained in this agree- negotiation. A better deal was possible. The natural disaster—compounded by man- ment. made errors—showed how vulnerable American people should accept nothing The Chairman of our Joint Chiefs of we are to major storms and how vigi- less. Some argue that we should ap- Staff told the Senate Armed Services lant we must be in planning for these prove this deal, despite its faults, and Committee in July that ‘‘under no cir- extreme events. cumstances should we relieve pressure then use the threat of separate legisla- We can’t say that climate change on Iran relative to ballistic missile ca- tion or tough talk to keep Iran in caused Katrina, but we do know that pabilities and arms trafficking.’’ The check. To me that is just seeking climate change increases the risk administration chose to reject this ad- cover. Those of us who are going to posed by future storms. The oceans are vice. It really surprised many of us who vote in agreement with this Iran deal warming, and warmer water tempera- did not know that these were even on are then going to turn around in a tures load the dice for more intense the table. We didn’t even know they week, 10 days or 2 days and say: Let’s storms and heavier rainfall. Mean- were part of a bargaining chip that get tough on Iran on this. Let’s make while, sea levels rise on the shores of anybody was going to play. sure we protect Israel. Let’s give more the gulf coast and the Southeastern The President’s agreement would re- military aid to Israel. All of the rhet- States. Storm surges riding in on high- move all international limitations on oric you are already hearing we can do er seas will push even more floodwater Iran’s missile program in 8 years, con- now. We can do that now by dis- inland. For those who suffered in the tradicting early promises from the ad- agreeing with the Iran agreement that devastation of Hurricane Katrina, we ministration that restrictions would the President has put forward. The bet- owe them to learn from that catas- remain in place. Ballistic missiles are ter course for us is to reject this agree- trophe and take to heart the human not a necessary component of a peace- ment and reopen negotiations. threat we face from climate change— ful nuclear program. Iran’s continued I believe that stronger sanctions lost lives, lost property, and scarred efforts to improve this technology could also force Iran to accept a better communities. But that seems unac- should send a clear message to this agreement that will improve the secu- ceptable to some on the Republican Chamber of their intentions. In addi- rity of the Middle East and the world. side. That would be admitting to the tion, the arms embargo on conven- The danger to the United States, scale of the problem, would oblige tional arms will be lifted in 5 years. Israel, and other American allies posed them to offer a solution, and would of- Indeed, Iran’s President said last by Iran is real. As the current refugee fend the fossil fuel industry. The pol- month: ‘‘We will buy, sell and develop crisis and prior acts of terror clearly luters’ grip on the Republican Party is any weapons we need and we will not demonstrate, instability and violence remorseless. ask permission or abide by any resolu- in the Middle East reverberates into President Obama went to New Orle- tion for that.’’ other parts of the world. ans to honor the memory of those lost The end of the arms embargo and bal- I do not believe that the President’s in Katrina and to hail the city’s resur- listic missile restrictions will strength- agreement reduces that threat of vio- gence. But get this: Before the Presi- en Iran’s ability to threaten Ameri- lence or adds to the stability of the re- dent’s visit, Louisiana Governor and cans, our allied forces, and our citizens. gion. Instead, the agreement will Republican Presidential candidate The President’s agreement does not strengthen Iran’s position—you can al- Bobby Jindal sent a letter to President contain the necessary enforcement ready tell by their swaggering bravado Obama urging him not to talk about measures to protect future generations of rhetoric that we hear—and leave the climate change, not to insert what he from a nuclear Iran. Any agreement United States with fewer ways to com- called ‘‘the divisive political agenda of worthy of congressional approval bat nuclear proliferation. For those liberal environmental activism.’’ Real- should include rigorous, immediate in- reasons, I will vote to reject the Presi- ly? So when is it OK to talk about cli- spections of suspected nuclear sites. dent’s nuclear agreement with Iran. mate change, and what does Governor Senior administration officials pub- I yield the floor. Jindal have to say about it? ‘‘I’m sure licly called for ‘‘anywhere, anyplace’’— The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- that human activity is having an im- I heard it repeatedly—inspections. Yet ator from Rhode Island. pact on the climate,’’ he said. ‘‘But I the President’s agreement fails to live CLIMATE CHANGE would leave it to the scientists to de- up to that. Indeed, Iran can block ac- Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I cide how much, what that means, and cess to suspected nuclear facilities for rise today for the 110th time to ask my what are the consequences.’’ Sounds to 24 days or even longer. We have not colleagues to wake up to climate me like just another version of that even seen these side deals. This is part change. Long after today’s debate has Republican climate denial classic, ‘‘I’m of the discussion. The bill that we died down, it will still be looming and not a scientist.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.087 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6588 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 OK, Governor. Let’s leave it to the threat is real. Yet, for Governor Jindal, have to rise up to their duty to serve scientists. The scientific community climate change should not be men- the people of their States and of this has determined that human activity is tioned. It is inconvenient. country. It is my hope that when they responsible for just about all of the Republican Presidential candidates— get around to doing that, it won’t be warming we have observed around the except one, the senior Senator from too late, but it is time to wake up. globe since the 1950s. South Carolina—would rather avoid I yield the floor. In 2012, scientists from Louisiana any talk of it. They all protest the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The es- State University and the Southern Cli- President’s Clean Power Plan to limit teemed Senator from Alaska. mate Impacts Planning Program, carbon emissions from powerplants, Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, I rise which is a consortium of researchers but which of them offers an alter- to add my voice for the bipartisan dis- from NOAA, LSU, Texas A&M, and the native? None. And, like his fellow can- approval of the President’s nuclear University of Oklahoma, reported on didates, Governor Jindal’s stated posi- agreement with Iran that we have been the risks climate change poses for Lou- tion is to have no plan. debating all week and that we will con- isiana and the gulf coast. Through State and national scientific agen- tinue to debate. I do so in the spirit their research, they found the fol- cies and experts, local officials around that resulted in 83 U.S. Senators from lowing: the country, corporate leaders, mili- both sides of the aisle writing a letter just last year to the President of the Over the past century, both air and water tary professionals, physicians and temperatures have been on the rise across health care professionals, and faith United States. This letter hasn’t got- the region. leaders are all telling us this is a prob- ten a lot of attention in this debate, Rising ocean temperatures heighten hurri- lem and begging us to wake up. Yet, and I certainly think it should. cane intensity, and recent years have seen a the Republican Presidential candidates In that spirit, the Senate, in an in- number of large, damaging hurricanes. and, frankly, the Republican Party credibly bipartisan way—by the way, In some Gulf Coast locations, local sea here in the Senate have nothing—noth- several of those Senators are still here. level is increasing at over 10 times the global There were 41 Democrats, 41 Repub- rate, increasing the risk of severe flooding. ing. They don’t even want to talk about it. licans, and 1 Independent who signed Saltwater intrusion from rising sea levels this letter to the President of the damages wetlands, an important line of The American people are in favor of coastal defense against storm surge and action. Polling from Stanford Univer- United States saying: These are the spawning grounds for commercially valuable sity and the New York Times shows strategic goals we want in this agree- fish and shellfish. that two-thirds of Americans, includ- ment, these are the goals we should I don’t need to tell the Presiding Offi- ing half of Republicans, favor govern- have for the security of the United cer the importance of the fish and ment action to reduce global warming, States, and these are the goals we shellfish industry to the State of Lou- and two-thirds, including half of Re- think will protect America and our al- isiana. publicans, would be more likely to vote lies. None of these have been met in The study’s lead author, Hal Need- for a candidate who campaigns on the nuclear agreement we have been ham, said: fighting climate change. So why debating. This letter says that Iran must dismantle its nuclear weapons Climate change is already taking a toll on doesn’t the GOP have a climate plan? the Gulf Coast, but if we act now to become Regular Louisianans are doing their program and it must be prevented from more resilient, we can reduce the risks, save part to rebuild their State’s natural de- ever having a path to a nuclear bomb. billions in future costs, and preserve a way fenses. Common Ground Relief, a It also states that Iran should have no of life. Lower Ninth Ward-based operation inherent right to enrichment. I certainly don’t need to tell the Pre- aimed at creating resilient gulf coast I commend my colleagues to reread this letter. The President’s nuclear siding Officer about the way of life. communities, has been planting marsh deal clearly does not meet the goals Dr. Needham continues: grass and trees—about 10,000 trees that are laid out in the letter. None- The Gulf Coast is one of the first regions to every year—in the wetlands and barrier theless, it has become clear that a feel the impacts of climate change. islands along the Louisiana coast. number of Senators on the other side of Sea level rise is already an imme- Those natural barriers can absorb some the aisle are going to vote to support diate problem for Louisiana, and it is of the power of big storms and take the President’s agreement despite hav- one that is going to get rapidly worse. some of the pressure off the new levees. ing signed that letter. That is going to This chart comes from the New Orle- Last July, New Orleans mayor Mitch be a personal decision for them, but if ans Times-Picayune. It shows how sea Landrieu joined Pope Francis at the you are a signatory, you ought to take level rise will inundate the Louisiana Vatican to discuss global challenges, another look at the letter you signed coast. This area on the chart is New including climate change. Mayor Lan- to the President and the American peo- Orleans. Red areas, such as these, will drieu recalled the memory of Katrina. I ple in 2014. be lost underneath 1 foot of sea level will quote him: I will lay out a few of my concerns rise, 2 feet of sea level rise will inun- We have now become a warning to all the about the deal. I think many of my col- date the orange areas, and the yellow others. Neglected environmental degradation leagues have done a fantastic job this areas will be lost and will disappear has consequences. The poor are hit the hard- est and they suffer the most. The levees week. I don’t want to name names, but under water at 3.3 feet—1 meter—of sea there are so many on both sides of the level rise. broke, the water flooded in, and in the blink of an eye, the Gulf of Mexico surged over the aisle—again, bipartisan—who have According to analysis from the Risky rooftops of a great American city. Thousands raised their concerns about the Presi- Business Project, mean sea level at of us, many of the most vulnerable who dent’s Iranian nuclear deal. Grand Isle, LA, will likely rise up to 2.4 couldn’t find a way to evacuate the city, One of the biggest frustrations I feet by 2050. That takes us over the or- were left behind as if their lives did not have think so many of us have seen as we ange. It will rise up to 5.8 feet by 2100— value. have done our sacred duty in this i.e., at the end of this century. All of We know that we are loading the dice body—to read the agreement, to under- the red, all of the orange, all of the yel- for more damaging weather with our stand the details, to go to all of the low, and more will be inundated. The relentless carbon pollution. To pretend hearings and briefings, to reach out to Risky Business Project estimates that this threat does not exist is to put experts in the field—as we have raised by 2030, almost $20 billion in existing property at risk, to put communities questions about this agreement, what coastal property in Louisiana will like- at risk, and to put American lives at we don’t get is straight talk. What we ly be below mean sea level. People own risk. And incidentally, it is also to put have been getting, unfortunately, is that property. That is $20 billion that our heads in the sand. spin. will be lost. That is a lot to ask people Eventually the Republican Party is I think Senator COATS did a great job to pay. By 2050, that number—the value going to have to break itself free from yesterday of explaining how this agree- of lost land to sea level rise—increases the clutches of the fossil fuel industry. ment is filled with ambiguities, with to between $33 billion and $45 billion. They are going to have to. They are language that allows it to mean so The science is clear. Just look to the losing the American people, their own many different things to so many dif- scientists at LSU, Tiger scientists. The young voters. And they are going to ferent people, including Iranians. Let

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.089 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6589 me provide a few examples that many this deal time and time again, and they ceral reaction we have seen in opposi- of us have raised and that I have spo- have never given us an answer as to tion to this deal. Americans feel that ken on the floor about in the past, but why that is not a correct reading of our concessions not just to any coun- I think they are important enough and this agreement—because it is. try, but to the world’s No. 1 sponsor of they bear repeating. These are just a few examples. Many terrorism, have gone so far that they First, Secretary Kerry came and said of my colleagues have done an out- are humiliating to our great country. to us: There is no grandfather clause in standing job of looking at different People feel that our concessions have this agreement. So we see Europeans parts of this agreement and expressing gone so far, it is as if we are treating rushing now to invest in Iran. The Sec- our concerns, but just as important is Iran as an equal, and Iran is not an retary said there is no grandfather what our constituents think. What do equal to the United States of America. clause. Here is what paragraph 37 of Alaskans think? What do the American I first started to realize this and the agreement says: people think? Like all of my col- sense it during a closed briefing with In such an event that sanctions are reim- leagues, I spent my recess back home Under Secretary of State Wendy Sher- posed, the provisions in this paragraph would in Alaska, and I spoke to hundreds of man. She was sent to brief the Senate not apply with retroactive effect to con- my fellow Alaskans at townhall meet- on the secret side deal between the tracts signed between any party in Iran or ings, roundtable discussions, our State IAEA and Iran involving the inspection Iranian individuals and entities prior to the fair. date of application. regime at the Parchin military facil- Remarkably, I did not have one Alas- ity, long suspected as Iran’s premier That sure sounds like a grandfather kan come up to me saying: I really nuclear weapons facility. Senator clause to me, but we are told it is not. think you should support that Iranian MCCAIN spoke about this briefing yes- Second, there has been much talk nuclear deal of the President’s. Every about this snapback provision, but terday. For those of us—again, Demo- single interaction I had was in opposi- crats and Republicans—who went to there is no provision in this agreement tion to this agreement, and it was vis- that says ‘‘snap back.’’ We talked this briefing, it was pretty remarkable, ceral, particularly among Alaska vet- and I am not saying that in a positive about how we are going to immediately erans. We are a proud State. We have increase sanctions overnight. way. It was actually unbelievable to the largest number of veterans per cap- have a senior member of the Obama ne- I had the opportunity to be a part of ita of any State in the Union. But the Bush administration’s team that gotiating team first begin the briefing whether they were recent vets from by telling us she had seen this secret was economically isolating Iran. We Iraq or Afghanistan or Vietnam vets, went around the world to our allies— side deal, but she didn’t have a copy of they literally would look at me and it, and she wasn’t allowed to have a we had to threaten, in many cases, our say: What on Earth are we doing? Help European and other allies to divest out copy of it because it was just between me understand that, Senator SULLIVAN. of Iran. That is how we got the eco- Iran and the IAEA. So the Iranians had What are we doing? Visceral. it, they were reading it, but not us. No nomic isolation of Iran. It took years During this debate this week, even matter that the President had just to do this. It took years. Yet, this ad- some of my colleagues on the other signed a law—the Corker-Cardin law— ministration is saying: Overnight, de- side of the aisle—they are not big sup- that required the administration to spite the fact that European companies porters—are using terms such as ‘‘seri- provide this agreement to the Con- are already in Tehran investing, we are ously flawed,’’ ‘‘deeply flawed,’’ ‘‘seri- gress. No matter that the United going to snapback sanctions overnight. ous concerns,’’ ‘‘falls short in many States is a board member of the It is not a snap. Divestiture out of Iran areas.’’ Across the country, Americans IAEA—not only a board member; we is a slog, and it will take years, again. are overwhelmingly opposed to this are the country that came up with the The snapback is a fallacy. deal by a margin of 2 to 1. And the Finally, Senator AYOTTE and others more the public knows about the deal, idea of the IAEA. This was an Amer- have done a great job of raising ques- the more they dislike it. These poll ican initiative in the 1950s. Our board tions about a basic scenario that is laid numbers in terms of support are drop- member could have demanded this out—very important—with regard to ping. Right now, the latest poll, 21 per- agreement, but we were told it was just other paragraphs in this agreement. In cent of Americans—that is it—support between Iran and the IAEA. This, of course, was an affront to the an important hypothetical, which is this deal. actually very likely, we have asked The people are wise. They elected us law, to the American people, but the Secretary Kerry and Secretary Lew—a to listen, and we should do so. They worst was yet to come. Under Sec- number of us: Let’s assume sanctions might not know all the details as some retary Sherman then actually de- are lifted. In six to nine months, the of us do, but they know—they know—I scribed the substance of this secret side economy starts humming, the Annex II saw it from my constituents—that deal, the essence of which we all know sanctions are lifted, is Iran still a spon- something is fundamentally wrong now because it was eventually leaked sor of terrorism—the world’s largest with this agreement. to the press. Here is the essence of that sponsor of terrorism—and they commit So we have to ask ourselves why. side deal: Iran will conduct the inspec- an act of terror. This body goes to re- Why? Why are Americans—the more tions at the Parchin nuclear facility by impose sanctions; whoever the next the President and John Kerry talk themselves, with no one else present. President is agrees because of some about this agreement, the more Ameri- Let me repeat that. No one else is al- heinous act of terrorism. What Iran cans become opposed to it. And why lowed in that facility. Iran will con- can do is cite either paragraph 26 or are even the supporters, as we saw this duct the inspections by itself. They paragraph 37 that states: ‘‘If sanctions week, so tepid in their support? will take air samples. They will take are reinstated, in whole or in part, Iran Now, all negotiations require com- environmental samples. She was lit- will treat that as grounds to cease per- promise. All negotiations require con- erally describing Iranian officials with forming its commitments’’ under the cessions. We all know this. We have ne- a camera filming themselves in the fa- entire agreement. gotiated. In fact, many of my col- cility with no one else there, and they So what happens? We resanction Iran leagues, particularly on the other side, were going to give this film and these for a terrorist action that they are emphasize this. Concessions are part of samples—whose chain of custody we likely to take. They say: Hey, we can what we do. They are part of an agree- can’t trust—to IAEA officials, who are legally walk. Read paragraph 26. Read ment, but at a certain point, conces- not allowed in the facility. paragraph 37. Read our letter to the sions become humiliations. If they are Every jaw in that room dropped, U.N. Security Council. It is all laid out too significant and too frequent, con- every Senator—Democrat, Republican. there. They walk, legally; the sanc- cessions are humiliations. No one likes I remember looking around the room. tions are lifted, they are still the No. 1 to be humiliated, but especially proud We couldn’t believe it. Heads were sponsor of terrorism in the world, their citizens of a great Nation like the shaking. The U.S. Senate was stunned. economy is humming, and they are on United States do not like to be humili- After claims by the President that the verge of getting a nuclear weapon. ated. his agreement had the most intrusive We have asked that question to the That is what I believe is going on inspection regime ever, after being told administration leaders who negotiated here. This, I believe, explains the vis- by the President that his agreement

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.092 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6590 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 had nothing to do with having to trust threats, including sabotage’’—that is Well, according to the President, he Iran—it wasn’t about trusting Iran—we in the agreement—that is not a conces- has stated, ‘‘There is no one who are told in a briefing by one of his top sion, that is an outrage. thinks that Iran would or could ever negotiators that with regard to the When the Chairman of the Joint accept that, and the international com- most suspicious nuclear weapons facil- Chiefs of Staff says that under no cir- munity does not take that view that ity site in Iran, the Iranians will in- cumstances should Iran ever obtain Iran can’t have a peaceful nuclear pro- spect themselves. ballistic missiles and only days later gram.’’ The AP broke the story, and when the Secretary of State agrees to lift The Congress of the United States they did, they stated that the secret the ban on ballistic missiles and con- and the Senate of the United States side deal at Parchin will ‘‘let the Ira- ventional weapons, that is not a con- thought that just a year ago. So it is nians themselves look for signs of the cession, that is an abdication. remarkable that the President says very activity they deny—past work on When we go into minute detail in now there is no way we can get that nuclear weapons.’’ this agreement—dozens of pages on our done. Why not go back to Iran and the Let me repeat that. This is the AP. obligations to lift sanctions, including P5+1 and get a better deal, one without The side deal—that we are agreeing to, our obligations to literally import Ira- the serious flaws that so many Mem- by the way, in the Senate, or that some nian pistachios—that kind of detail— bers, Democratic and Republican, have of my colleagues are—will ‘‘let the Ira- yet we can’t get four American hos- stated over the last week? nians themselves look for signs of the tages released, that is not a concession, In a remarkable interview with the very activity they deny—past work on that is a humiliation. Atlantic Monthly, Secretary Kerry nuclear weapons.’’ Finally, when we give the world’s talks about how, if we sought a better This secret side deal is absurd on its largest state sponsor of terrorism up- deal, if he went back and sought a bet- face. This secret side deal will let Iran front relief and tens of billions of dol- ter deal—a deal, by the way, that 83 cheat with impunity. This secret side lars in a signing bonus and we are told Senators said we needed to have—we deal is fully and unequivocally based by administration officials that cer- would be ‘‘screwing Iran and the Aya- on trusting the Iranians, regardless of tainly Iran is going to use some of tollah, and we will be confirming the what the administration officials say those proceeds to conduct terrorism ac- Ayatollah’s suspicion that the United about the deal. And this secret side tivities against Americans and our al- States is untrustworthy.’’ That is a deal is not just some kind of conces- lies, that is not a concession, that is a quote from the Secretary of State of sion; it is a humiliation. The IAEA has surrender. the United States. In another inter- never done this with any country, It is a culmination of the so-called view, Secretary Kerry said he would ever—especially a country that is a se- concessions that give our constituents ‘‘be embarrassed’’ to go out and try for rial cheater and continues to be the the sinking feeling that the President’s a better deal. world’s No. 1 sponsor of international agreement is decidedly not in our in- What is most remarkable of all is terrorism. terest. That is dangerous for our coun- that in attempts to sell this deal to the For these reasons alone, as Senator try, and it is the scope and number of Congress and the American people, the PERDUE mentioned yesterday, the Sen- these concessions that solidify the ate should reject the President’s deal. President and his team no longer em- sense that during these negotiations It certainly doesn’t square with many phasized that Iran, the world’s biggest we have slowly and subtly ceded our of the demands in the March 2014 Sen- sponsor of terrorism, is isolated, is a ate letter from 83 U.S. Senators last power to a country that just recently pariah state, but instead they empha- year, one of which was: We believe Iran was considered the world’s No. 1 pariah sized that our most important ally in must fully resolve concerns addressed state. the Middle East, Israel, is, and so, too, When these negotiations began, every in the United Nations Security Council is the Congress, and so, too, will be the country in the world was standing resolutions, including any military di- United States if we don’t approve the against Iran and international sanc- mensions of its nuclear program. Well, President’s deal. tions were crippling them. That is that is not going to happen in Parchin. On August 5, the President stated what brought them to the table, as We believe Iran must also submit to a that ‘‘every nation in the world that Senator CORKER mentioned earlier long-term and intrusive inspection and has commented publicly supports this today. And guess what. This was due verification regime—83 Senators said agreement, except Israel.’’ And U.N. not to the international community’s this to the President. That is not going Ambassador Samantha Power, our Am- leadership, not to China, not to Russia, to happen at Parchin either. But these bassador, recently stated, ‘‘If we walk not to the European Union, this was kind of absurd concessions go much away, there is no rewrite of the deal on due to the leadership of the United further than the Parchin inspection the table. We would go from a situation States of America, the Members in the side deal, and they are the driving in which Iran is isolated to one in Democratic Party and Republican force for why so many Americans re- which the United States is isolated.’’ Party of the Congress, and members of This rhetoric represents a funda- ject this deal so overwhelmingly. When we agreed to lift sanctions on the Bush administration and the mental shift in a world view. We have General Soleimani, the head of the Obama administration. That is what been debating this Iranian deal for the Quds Force, that wasn’t a concession, brought them to the table—American past week, but we really are debating America’s role in the world. There is a that was a humiliation. Senator ERNST leadership, Congress, and the executive said last night it was a slap in the face branch working together. world view that is taking hold with to our veterans, many of whom were Remarkably, the deal the President this administration, one where Amer- killed by IEDs supplied by General and the administration have nego- ica is no longer the leader of the free Soleimani. tiated has flipped all of this on its world but a player as part of an inter- When the leader of Russia, one of our head. It is incredible that we are at national partnership, one where we so-called international partners, met this point, as if we are treating Iran as don’t lead by example but are being led with General Soleimani recently to an equal, blessed by all the world’s by others, one where we are leading discuss arms transfers, that wasn’t a great powers. Make no mistake, we are, from behind, one where we are embar- concession, that was an outrage. as Senator CARDIN and others men- rassed—that is in the Secretary of When the United States, in the Presi- tioned—this deal legitimizes Iran’s nu- State’s words—rather than steadfast, dent’s agreement, states that it wants clear program and it blesses Iran as a and one where we are more worried ‘‘a new relationship with Iran’’ and threshold nuclear power. about ‘‘screwing’’ the head of a pariah they don’t respond in kind in the So the question has to be asked: Why state than standing with our most agreement but respond by saying not stick the original goals set out by steadfast ally in the region, the nation ‘‘Death to America’’ in their weekly the Senate just a year ago, in 2014, in of Israel. chants, that is not a concession, that is the letter to the President to dis- This kind of deal that we are debat- a humiliation. mantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities, to ing today is what an echo chamber pro- When we agree in the agreement to prevent them from having enrichment duces. This is what happens when you ‘‘protect Iran from nuclear security capability. want a deal too badly, when you will

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.093 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE September 10, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6591 not walk away from the table during Democrats to filibuster it. I believe the strengthen their security. I will also negotiations, when your view of Amer- vote we just took is a sad day for the continue to support efforts to combat ica’s leadership role in the world is ten- U.S. Senate. If this deal was good for terrorist groups in the Mideast. tative, tepid, and not confident, and the country and our allies, I would cer- These are the reasons that led to my this is what happens when you fail to tainly be gladly supporting it, but it is decision. listen to the American people. This is not, and a bipartisan majority of the First of all, I believe this agreement, what happens. Right turns wrong, good Senate knows it. That is why a bipar- while imperfect, curbs Iran’s ability to turns bad, a country that recently was tisan majority of this body is voting develop a nuclear weapon. Before nego- a pariah state, the largest state spon- against it. We are doing so because it is tiations began in 2013, we were moving sor of terrorism, is steering the nego- a bad deal, a deal that will make the steadily closer to the nightmare sce- tiations and welcomed to the commu- world more dangerous, and we are nario of Iran obtaining a nuclear weap- nity of nations, and top officials in the doing so because the American people on. Even under the pressure of massive United States of America are afraid see that, too, and they are counting on economic sanctions, Iran was con- that we will become isolated if we de- us to protect them. tinuing to build its nuclear infrastruc- mand a stronger deal that keeps us and Mr. President, I yield the floor. ture. It was installing more and more our allies safe. This, in effect, is how The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- centrifuges, accumulating a stockpile bad and dangerous policy is made. ator from Minnesota. of enriched uranium, and building a re- I would like to conclude by talking Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I actor capable of producing spent fuel about our role with regard to this rise to discuss the agreement reached that can be reprocessed into pluto- agreement. History has shown that on in July on Iran’s nuclear program. nium. most major foreign policy issues, when Preventing Iran from obtaining a nu- That point deserves to be empha- the United States of America is most clear weapon is one of the most impor- sized. The situation prior to the nego- effective and most strong is when the tant objectives of our national security tiations was not a good one. We had Congress and the Executive are work- policy. I have strongly advocated for the strongest sanctions regime in ing together. That is the way our Con- and supported the economic sanctions place, and it has brought Iran to the stitution was structured, and that has that brought Iran to the negotiating table, but Iran was still on the path to been America’s history since the found- table. While the agreement is by no developing a nuclear weapon. We have ing of the Republic. The examples means perfect, I have concluded it is heard that without the restrictions im- abound from this Chamber. The Lou- our best available option to put the posed on its program, Iran could isiana Purchase—something important brakes on Iran’s development of a nu- produce a weapon in as little as 2 to 3 to you, Mr. President—passed the Sen- clear weapon, and that is why I support months. This negotiated agreement ate, bipartisan majority vote 24 to 7; it. will put the brakes on Iran’s develop- NATO was ratified by bipartisan ma- I do this with my eyes wide open to ment of a nuclear weapon. jority, 82 to 13; the first strategic arms the nature of the Iranian regime, in- As recently noted in an open letter limitations negotiations with the So- cluding its human rights abuses, its by 29 top American nuclear scientists, viet Union, bipartisan majority, 88 to 2; unjustified detention of American citi- including 6 Nobel Laureates, the agree- even something as controversial as re- zens, its threats against Israel, and its ment contains ‘‘more stringent con- linquishing control of the Panama destabilizing actions in the region, in- straints than any previously nego- Canal to Panama, bipartisan majority, cluding its support for terrorist groups. tiated nonproliferation framework.’’ 68 to 32. Over the last several weeks, I have Specifically, the agreement requires More recently in 2010, this body voted reviewed the Joint Comprehensive Iran to first of all give up 98 percent of to further reduce nuclear arms with Plan of Action as agreed to by the P5+1 its stockpile of enriched uranium and the Russians, bipartisan majority, 71 to nations and Iran. I have attended brief- not enrich uranium to the levels need- 26. ings with national security and nuclear One common area of agreement is ed to create nuclear weapons. It would experts. I have spoken with Minneso- that everybody who has talked about require Iran to disconnect two-thirds of tans who hold strong views on both this agreement this week on both sides its centrifuges, with restrictions on of the aisle has stated it was one of the sides of this issue. Finally, I have met where and how it can operate the re- most important national security with the Ambassadors from the other maining ones. It limits uranium en- issues facing the United States in a five nations involved in these negotia- richment to a single facility. Fordow, generation, whether and how and to tions and asked detailed questions the fortified site that Iran long sought what degree the world’s largest sponsor about what their countries and others to hide from the world, will be con- of terrorism is going to obtain a nu- would do if Congress does not approve verted into a research facility. The clear weapon. the agreement. core of Arak, the heavy water reactor, But perhaps for the first time in U.S. After a lot of thought and discussion, will be removed and filled with cement, history, an agreement that is so grave I have concluded that an Iran in pos- rendering it unusable for the produc- and important for the national secu- session of a nuclear weapon would tion of weapons-grade plutonium. rity of our great Nation is going to make an already volatile situation It will open its nuclear facilities to move forward, not with a bipartisan much worse by greatly increasing the continuous monitoring and allow strin- majority in the U.S. Senate but a par- danger to Israel and our other allies in gent inspections of its uranium supply tisan minority in both Houses. Such re- the Mideast. If we were to reject this chain. It will permanently commit to sult will undermine America’s strength agreement, Iran would be able to con- never seeking, developing, or acquiring and I believe shows a profound dis- tinue all of its destabilizing activities nuclear weapons. regard for our constitutional form of while continuing its pursuit of the Second, if Iran cheats on this deal, government. Even the Iranian Par- most destructive weapon in the world. sanctions can be reimposed or, as they liament is going to need a majority to I have deep respect for those who say, snapped back. In addition—and pass this agreement, but the world’s hold different views on this subject and this is very important to me—U.S. greatest democracy will not, and I be- acknowledge that this was a difficult military options remain on the table, lieve that is another humiliation. decision. As I have proven through my just as they were before the deal. We Finally, just a few hours ago we saw votes and my actions since coming to are not bringing back ships. We have what has been a theme throughout this the Senate, I am deeply committed to not agreed to do anything to take the entire process—how the administration protecting Israel’s security, including military option off the table. This has been dismissive of the American full aid funding and support for secu- agreement by no means limits or people, not wanting a role for the rity measures such as Iron Dome. lessens our country’s ability to use American people through their rep- In conjunction with my support for force against Iran if it violates this resentatives in Congress to weigh in on this agreement, I will push the admin- agreement and pursues nuclear weap- this deal. istration and my colleagues in Con- ons. If the President is so proud of this gress for additional assistance to Israel If Iran attempts to develop a nuclear agreement, he shouldn’t be directing and our other regional allies to weapon, the terms of this agreement

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Sep 11, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10SE6.095 S10SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S6592 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 10, 2015 will have given us more information retary of State and anyone we could energy, and transportation sanctions and more limited targets in the event about this agreement. So the time is currently imposed against Iran. Lifting that military action becomes nec- now here where I believe this agree- these sanctions—lifting them prior to essary. ment should be approved. And, again, any meaningful action by Iran in ex- It should also be noted that this we have different views. I think it is change—will immediately give the agreement does not in any way con- very important, given the heated na- world’s largest supporter of terrorism strain the ability of future Presidents ture at times of this debate, that we access to tens of billions of dollars in or Congresses to authorize military come together when this is over to currently frozen assets. That is just on force against Iran. stand up for Israel, our beacon of de- day one. Welcoming Iran with open Third, rejecting the agreement would mocracy in the Mideast, and continue arms to the global marketplace will lead to a splintering of the inter- to work together on a bipartisan basis provide untold future riches to national partnership that has been on our Mideastern policy. Tehran’s revolutionary government. critical to preventing Iran from obtain- I yield the floor. The current sanctions are not per- ing a nuclear weapon, that has been The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. SUL- fect, but they are in place for a very critical to bringing them to the table, LIVAN). The Senator from Utah. good reason: to restrict Iran’s access to and that has been critical to these eco- Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I would like resources we know its radical leaders nomic sanctions. They would not be to thank the majority leader for sched- will use to acquire nuclear weapons nearly as effective if we had done them uling this debate about the agreement and continue exporting terrorism not alone. struck by the Obama administration only throughout the region but Some have argued that we should re- and the leaders of the Islamic Republic throughout the world. This is not a ject this deal so we can return to the of Iran. It is important to highlight matter of speculation. It is not a mat- negotiating table. Yet, I recently met right up front what this deal is. It is ter of hyperbole. It is exactly what with the Ambassadors representing the nothing more than a political agree- Iran’s own leaders have told us in no United Kingdom, France, Germany, ment between President Obama and uncertain terms. Russia, and China. Not one of them be- the current leaders of Iran. This deal Those sanctions were originally put lieved that abandoning this deal would does not have the support of the Amer- in place in response to Iran’s repeated result in a better deal. Instead, it ican people, nor will it have the con- violations of previous nuclear agree- would allow Iran more time to build up sent of their elected representatives ments. It is complete fantasy to be- its nuclear infrastructure. The coun- here in Congress. At no point in the lieve they can be revived in the future tries that have been our partners in course of negotiating this deal did the when—not if but when—they cheat on this effort would no longer be unified. Obama administration seek the advice this deal. The sanctions regime would start to and consent of the Senate or display Fact No. 2: Nothing in the agreement fray, splintering the international con- any respect for the constitutional lim- will prevent Iran from developing a nu- sensus on Iran and leaving its nuclear its of the Executive in foreign affairs. clear weapon. It won’t. Under the program unconstrained. Nevertheless, I am glad the Senate terms of this deal, the Iranian Govern- Finally, this agreement must move has been debating this agreement be- ment will be allowed to conduct re- in parallel with increased commitment cause this is how the Senate is sup- search on more advanced nuclear cen- to security assistance for Israel and posed to function, on the basis of open trifuges after only 8 years. After 15 our other allies in the region. In my and robust deliberation. I hope it is years, there will be no limits whatso- view, the most troubling issue with how the Senate will function well into ever on their nuclear fuel production— this agreement that one my colleagues the future on matters of national secu- no limits whatsoever. To believe that has addressed is that sanctions relief rity and domestic policy. this deal will stop the Iranian nuclear Iran will receive after it implements But if the debate we are trying to weapons program requires an act of key restrictions on its nuclear program have today could be congressional de- blind faith. In fact, it requires us to will provide it with additional funds, liberation at its best, the Obama ad- disregard the facts altogether. and a certain portion of those funds ministration’s deal with Iran is the Fact No. 3: This agreement will in- could be funneled into Iran’s desta- product of diplomacy at its worst. As crease Iran’s access to conventional bilizing activities around the region. the negotiations neared completion weapons and ballistic missiles. It will I am deeply committed to the secu- earlier this year, President Obama do this by providing for the removal of rity of our allies and want to ensure began building his case for the deal on the U.N. conventional arms and bal- that we are taking steps, in parallel the specious claim that the only alter- listic missile technology embargo. If with this nuclear agreement, to en- native to the deal was war. this seems out of place in an agreement hance our allies’ ability to defend This black-or-white setup—the no- that was supposed to be about Iran’s themselves. I want to see further en- tion that the art of statesmanship is nuclear weapons program, well, that is hancements of our security assistance little more than navigating a series of because it is. It is entirely out of place to Israel, greater defense cooperation binary either-or propositions—is plain- for this type of an agreement. It was with our Arab allies, and stronger ac- ly absurd. It misses the mark. We never supposed to be part of the deal. tions to counter Iranian militant ac- learned this from the fiasco following But you see, in the eleventh-hour nego- tivities. the New START treaty in 2010. At that tiations, the Ayatollah demanded it, We are in the midst of discussing time, President Obama and Secretary sensing—rightly—that the Obama ad- other initiatives in this Chamber to Clinton warned that it was the only ministration was unlikely to object. provide additional assistance and en- way to reset the relationship with Rus- This deal is not the work of savvy ne- hance the security of Israel and our al- sia. But now, 5 years later, we know it gotiation. No, this deal is the product lies in the region. I will work with my was, in fact, the starting point for the of desperate capitulation. For years, colleagues and the administration as worst era of U.S.-Russia relations since this administration has been dead set we move forward. That is how I will the Cold War. But the Obama adminis- on reaching a deal, any deal with the end. I call upon the administration and tration has repeated this ‘‘my way or mullahs in Iran. That is why they got all of my colleagues to work together war’’ maxim with such faithful devo- the deal they did, an agreement that to help ensure that this agreement tion and emotional conviction that it fulfills a wish list for the Iranians and works and to help ensure that we pro- appears at some point along the way the sprawling network of terrorist vide the assistance necessary to pro- they began to believe it themselves. groups that depend on their largesse, tect Israel and our allies. They actually started to believe it, including Hezbollah, Hamas, the As I said earlier, I have deep respect even thought it was wrong. Houthis in Yemen, and Bashar al- for people who have different views. We Just look at the facts regarding this Assad’s tyrannical regime in Syria. have had a lengthy debate. We have deal. And what does the United States get looked at this agreement now for over Fact No. 1: The centerpiece of the in exchange? Well, we get a promise a month and had time to ask questions agreement is the lifting of significant from the Ayatollah to abandon Iran’s of the Energy Secretary and the Sec- portions of the multilateral financial, 35-year quest for deliverable nuclear

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There is a dis- danger that result when the Executive Obama administration and for the sup- tinction between these two types of chooses to ignore, instead of engage porters of this deal, but it is not good treaties. with, the Senate in order to determine enough for the American people—not From the Obama administration’s whether an international agreement even close. perspective, this is a problem with the should be considered a treaty. In fact, the public opposes the pro- Senate. But from the perspective of the The President’s go-it-alone approach posed deal by a 2-to-1 margin, but not Constitution, this is the purpose of the has become all too familiar in the because they are clamoring for war Senate, and it is exactly why the fram- realm of domestic policy. with Iran. The truth is that most ers included the Senate in the treaty- President Obama has spent much of 1 Americans would prefer a diplomatic making process. the last 6 ⁄2 years justifying his will-to- solution to the problems posed by Article II, section 2 of the Constitu- power Presidency on the basis of expe- Iran’s apocalyptic, nuclear, ambitious tion states that the President ‘‘shall diency. Constitutional restraints and theocracy. But this is not a diplomatic have power, by and with the advice and historical precedent have only slowed— solution. This diplomacy won’t solve consent of the Senate, to make trea- never stopped—the President’s routine anything. ties, provided two-thirds of the sen- abuse of power to unilaterally impose I would note that the public’s over- ators present concur.’’ his domestic policy preferences on the whelming opposition to the Iran deal The sharing of the treaty-making country. Now, with this Iran deal fail- did not catch the Obama administra- power between the Executive and the ing to receive the support of even half tion by surprise. In fact, public opposi- Senate is not a quirk, nor is it op- of the Senate, the President appears tion to the deal was one of the primary tional. It is a constitutional command. willing to extend his imperial Presi- reasons why the administration de- Both branches are essential. They are dency, even to the area of foreign pol- cided not to submit the agreement to essential to this process. Without both icy. We must do everything in our power the Senate for ratification as a treaty. branches, you cannot make a treaty to stop this Iran agreement from re- When Secretary Kerry testified be- and have it take effect. ceiving congressional sanction. The fore the Senate Armed Services Com- The Executive is best suited to man- facts are clear. This is a bad deal for mittee just a few weeks ago, I asked age negotiations with foreign nations, global security, it is a bad deal for our him to explain why the agreement with but only legislative consent can grant allies—including, especially, Israel, our Iran was not submitted to the Senate the kind of broad political consensus strongest ally in the Middle East—and as a treaty for ratification—ratifica- necessary to ensure that the United it is a bad deal for the American peo- tion requiring two-thirds of the Mem- States lives up to the terms of an ple. But we must also learn from this bers of this body who support it. His agreement in the long run. experience. In ‘‘The Federalist,’’ Alexander Ham- answer was, in effect, to say that the Later this year, the Obama adminis- ilton defended the sharing of treaty- deal does not amount to a treaty be- tration will negotiate a major climate cause it is a multilateral agreement, making power between the Executive change agreement, what will be known one that involves more countries than and the Senate. He wrote: ‘‘The history as the Paris Protocol. Already the ad- just Iran and the United States. of human conduct does not warrant ministration has indicated it does not But the inclusion of multiple parties that exalted opinion of human virtue intend to submit the protocol to the to an international agreement has ab- which would make it wise in a nation Senate for ratification, even though solutely no bearing whatsoever on to commit interests of so delicate and the agreement would call for a signifi- whether it can be considered a treaty. momentous a kind, as those which con- cant expansion of the already broad There is no shortage of examples of cern its intercourse with the rest of the powers of our Federal regulatory re- this, of examples of multilateral agree- world, to the sole disposal of [the] gime. ments that have been ratified by the President of the United States.’’ It would empower unelected, unac- Senate, including the Chemical Weap- Of course, not all international countable bureaucrats to seize even ons Convention, including the Nuclear agreements are treaties, and those that more control over the American energy Non-Proliferation Treaty. aren’t do not need legislative consent sector and insert themselves ever fur- In fact, as I pointed out to Secretary in order to go into effect. But, histori- ther into the everyday lives of the Kerry at the time, the State Depart- cally, agreements that make long-term American people. ment’s own Web site provides a defini- commitments or include significant On account of its expected size, tion of the word ‘‘treaty’’ that includes changes to the United States’ relation- scope, cause, and effect on the Amer- multilateral agreements, which is why ship to another country have been con- ican economy, failure to submit the I think the more honest and troubling sidered treaties and have, therefore, Paris Protocol to the Senate as a trea- answer was the one that he provided been submitted to the Senate for ap- ty would be an unprecedented and dan- just 1 day earlier when Congressman proval. gerous abuse of Executive power. REID RIBBLE of Wisconsin asked Sec- As I see it, the Iran deal fits both of Now is the time to make clear to our- retary Kerry the exact same question: these categories quite comfortably. selves, to the White House, and to the Why does the Obama administration The terms of the deal purport to extend American people that the Senate un- not consider the Iran deal to be a trea- well beyond President Obama’s remain- derstands and plans to defend the cen- ty? ing time in office. According to the ad- trality of the treaty-making process to This was Secretary Kerry’s response ministration’s own reckoning, this the negotiation of international trade to that question asked just 1 day ear- agreement will fundamentally alter agreements and the full and rightful lier in the other body. Secretary of the relationship between the United role of the Senate in that important State John Kerry said as follows: States and Iran. process. Well, Congressman, I spent quite a few People of good faith can disagree I yield the floor. years trying to get a lot of treaties through about whether the Iran deal should be The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the United States Senate, and frankly, it’s considered a treaty or merely an execu- ator from the great State of Alaska. become physically impossible. That’s why. tive agreement, though not on the far- Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I Because you can’t pass a treaty anymore. cical grounds provided by Secretary join my colleagues this afternoon in This is indefensible. Secretary Kerry. speaking on a joint resolution on the Kerry’s appeal to expedience shows an But this debate is worth having. This Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ignorance of—or disdain for—both prin- is the debate that we should be having. with Iran. ciple and precedent. The Senate has It is worth it for the sake of our na- I wanted to make clear my position not lost the ability to ratify a treaty. tional security and for the health of on this agreement. We use the term

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It is important for us to look at that is relatively evenhanded or fair on is hard, it is really hard, if not impos- what Iran gives the world in return for both sides. I do not believe that this sible, to maintain an open heart when this agreement. In light of the progress deal is a fair deal. I will support the it comes to Iran. Iran is not a country Iran has made in its quest to develop a resolution of disapproval when we have that is open to resetting relations with nuclear weapon, it was imperative to that opportunity for that vote. a world that clearly is seeking peace me that an agreement—if we were This is not where I hoped I would be and a civil society. Before it entered going to get to an agreement—must on this because I do believe—and I do into this agreement, Iran wasn’t talk- not simply arrest Iran’s nuclear ambi- believe strongly—that diplomacy is the ing about a reset here, and it has tion but require the abandonment of way that we solve disagreements shown no evidence of changing its ways those ambitions. It had to stop those around the world. I think that most of because of where we are with this nuclear ambitions. The agreement be- us were actually very hopeful when the agreement now. fore us, viewed in absolutely the most administration began negotiation some We hear every day that Iran’s senior favorable light, simply does not accom- years ago with the aim and with the leaders are leading the chant ‘‘Death to plish this goal. At best we have pushed purpose that Iran would cease its nu- America.’’ And they said this before the pause button. At best it puts a clear program and end its progress to- the agreement. One would think maybe pause on Iran’s final preparations to- ward a nuclear weapon. now there has been this agreement wards becoming a full-fledged nuclear I believe that our world would be that tone would change. But no, de- state. safer if we were able to achieve those spite all the efforts of Secretary Kerry And even then, to regard that pause goals—without question—and these are and others, they are still chanting as meaningful requires me to suspend goals that the President himself ar- ‘‘Death to America’’ today. That hasn’t disbelief. I have to suspend my dis- ticulated. He stated specifically that changed. belief that Iran can be trusted to live In fact, just yesterday the Supreme this was his aim. up to the terms of the agreement. I Leader called again for the obliteration But, unfortunately, this agreement must believe that even though Iran is of Israel. These are not rabble rousers fails to meet those goals. Simply put, not required to fully disclose the mili- in the street. These are the leaders in this agreement is not in our national tary dimensions of its existing nuclear Iran who are calling repeatedly for interest. ‘‘Death to America’’ and to wipe Israel program, the international verification After considerable study and consid- mechanisms are indeed effective. I ering the terms of the agreement and off the map. Say what you will about the reportedly moderate President can’t do that. the views of experts on both sides, the I must also believe that other na- Rouhani, but the facts speak for them- many closed hearings that we had, the tions will be inclined to meaningfully selves. many public hearings that were out We have The Washington Post’s call out Iran on violations and not sim- there, I have concluded that this is not Tehran correspondent who has been in ply rationalize them away in order to just a bad deal, but I think this is a sad jail since July of 2014. Iran continues keep up the appearances this deal is deal. I think this is a sad time for us to hold him on trumped-up espionage working. I don’t think that is going to because of this deal. charges, and he is not alone. Iran also happen. In fact, this is a deal that borders on holds an American pastor, a U.S. ma- Each of these assumptions is just a capitulation and appeasement, a deal rine who traveled to Iran to visit fam- bridge too far. I can’t get there. And I that rewards nuclear extortion. Those ily members, and it is believed to hold hear from Alaskans, as I know my col- are pretty tough words, but that is Robert Levinson, who was kidnapped league in the Chair does, when they are where I feel we are—a deal which is far from an island off of Iran’s coast. Iran asking me: Hey, what happened to worse than no deal at all. continues to persecute Christians and these anytime, anywhere inspections I reject, absolutely out of hand, the Baha’is in its own country. These are this administration was promising? statement from our President that we flagrant human rights violations. Now they are not there. They are ask- have no choice, that it is either this The facts do not suggest to me this is ing about these snapback sanctions. It deal or it is war. That is a false choice, a regime that is ready for reform. I am is a pretty catchy word, but what ex- and I think it is wrong to put it that not speaking about human rights viola- actly does it mean? How feasible is it? way before the American people. tions that occurred at an early time in Is it practicable in its implementation? Certainly, these negotiations were history. This is here, this is now. These And I can’t look at them squarely in hard. They were very difficult. That is persecutions, these human rights viola- the eye and say: Sure, you can count the nature of these negotiations and tions, these imprisonments are right on those snapback provisions to come deliberations. here, right now. into play. And even if we could get But other options do exist, and we If this were not enough to cause one them back in, we know those sanctions have been on the floor for several days to question whether we can trust Iran would be weaker, would be less effec- talking back and forth about them. to change its ways, consider this. Iran tive than what we have now. Well, what else is there? Well, first, is a key funder of Hamas and Alaskans are also asking: Well, what there are the sanctions that got Iran to Hezbollah, committed to the destruc- about these side agreements—these the table in the first place. There are tion of the State of Israel. It funds the side agreements between Iran and the even stronger sanctions that can be im- rockets which are launched into IAEA—how is it only they know what posed. There is continued diplomacy. It Israel’s sovereign territory from Gaza, is going on there? is not an apt description to say it is southern Lebanon from Syria, and And we can’t go back to our constitu- this deal or it is war. these rockets don’t just threaten Iran’s ents, we can’t go back to the good peo- Before I discuss my specific objec- sworn enemy, the State of Israel. They ple of the great State of Alaska and tions to the agreement, I would like to also endanger civilian populations in say with confidence: Yes, we have these place my views on this agreement in the countries from which they are provisions on verification that give us context with my views on inter- launched by inviting, if not demanding, that security; yes, snapback sanctions national agreements in general. I am immediate retaliation from Israel. So are practicable; no, there are no side, certainly not opposed to joining with one has to ask the question: Is this a secret agreements. We can’t do that. international partners in making the nation that is committed to peace and Before causing the release of billions world a better and a more peaceful good global citizenship? Hardly. It just of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and place. On issues ranging from the Con- is not. allowing sanctions to expire, I need vention on the Rights of Persons with I think we recognize—and the Pre- some clear and convincing and un- Disabilities to the new START treaty, siding Officer, in his capacity before equivocal evidence this agreement will

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I am not looking for a perfect through sanctions—and we keep hear- while our antiquated domestic export deal, but I am demanding one that ing this on both sides, whether you ban is going to harm American pro- makes our Nation a safer place—safer support this agreement or do not sup- ducers. with the deal than without—and this port this agreement—that Iran was This misalignment—and I have out- agreement doesn’t do it. I place the brought to the table in the first place lined it in several white papers out blame firmly with the administration. by crippling sanctions. We will lose our there—can be corrected. We can correct The President did not work with this leverage with Iran once those sanctions it legislatively, and the administration Congress. He did not throughout the are dialed back. Whether it is 9 months can correct it. And now that the Presi- course of the negotiations try to align or longer, we lose that leverage. So I dent claims he has his veto-proof mar- our expectations with the direction he am very concerned about where we are gin of support for the Iran deal, I think was taking to determine what a good with unfreezing assets and releasing there is even greater urgency for this agreement might look like that we sanctions. Congress to move on this issue. That is could all concur with. Many of us have spoken on the floor another issue, but I think it is impor- So I am not surprised that this deal here about how Iran will now have bil- tant to raise. It is just one of the many remains so unpopular with the Amer- lions of dollars to spend creating fur- issues that I believe demonstrates that ican public. There are a bunch of polls ther chaos in the Middle East or arm- Iran is looking at this as a good deal out there. The latest one from Pew ing Israel’s enemies or developing for them. They got the most out of this says only about 20 percent of the Amer- rockets which someday might be used negotiation and gave the least. ican people support this agreement. I to deliver nuclear weapons. You can Iran’s strategy of nuclear extortion do think it is important to note that count me as one of the skeptics. I do has not been disabled. To the contrary, on this floor we do have a bipartisan not believe Iran will choose to do good it has been rewarded. What do they majority of Members in who oppose with these newfound sources of rev- get? What do they get? They get a this deal. I understand that is true in enue. I do not believe that they are pathway to nuclear weapons, ICBM the House as well. I think that is im- going to be putting these resources program, conventional weapons, sanc- portant. And I do think it is unfortu- into rebuilding roads and hospitals and tions gone, and a stronger economy. It nate, with the vote we took just hours infrastructure. I am that skeptic, and I sounds like a pretty good deal for Iran. ago, that we are not able to get to a think I join many here in noting what It sounds like a pretty good deal for straight up or down vote on the resolu- we have seen even under crippling Iran but certainly not for the security tion of disapproval at this point in sanctions, when Iran didn’t have access of this country and not for the security time. The whole premise of the Iran to the frozen resources and funds that of our allies. Nuclear Agreement Review Act—some- thing that 98 of us agreed voted for, will be available to them under the I suspect that many of my col- was that we, as the representatives deal, they still found a way to direct leagues, even some who are voting for from our respective States around the and finance acts of terrorism through- this agreement, concur with my con- country, would be able to speak yea or out the Middle East. Should we give clusion that Iran is getting a better nay to this issue by way of a vote. them more money in their hands to do deal. We have seen a flurry of com- ments not only in print but we have The American people want Iran out more mischief? Count me as a skeptic. of the nuclear weapons business—it is As you know, I focus a great deal on certainly heard great discussion on the pretty simple—and that means dis- the energy issues as the chairman of floor that this agreement is flawed, it mantlement. The American people the energy committee. I am very con- is not what we wanted, and it is not want their President to demonstrate cerned about the opportunities this what we would have negotiated. The comments from colleagues sup- backbone in the negotiations, not ca- agreement affords Iran’s oil sector—op- pitulation, not appeasement—not ap- portunities that come at the expense of porting this say we have to take it be- cause there is no other option here. peasement of Iran, whose leaders seem America’s energy producers and our to take continued pride in this pattern The President has said it is this or it is overall economy in the near term. The of unacceptable and often reprehen- war; there is no other option. If you Energy Information Administration sible behavior. This deal simply does don’t like this plan, what is your plan? here in Washington and the Inter- not get us there. That is why I join so Then they say we can’t have the ad- national Energy Agency in Paris esti- many others in opposition. mates that lifting sanctions on Iran ministration walk away because Amer- I thank the Presiding Officer for the could raise Iranian output by some ican prestige will suffer if Congress privilege of the time on the floor, and 700,000 barrels per day. forces the administration to walk away I yield the floor. Now, we recognize that production is from this deal. This is not about Amer- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- going to take some time to ramp up ican prestige, and this should not be ator from Wyoming. and to bring back online—perhaps well about a President’s legacy. This is Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise to into next year and beyond—but it will about our security as a nation. urge my colleagues to oppose this come. What we do have in place and Just this morning, I met with a fam- agreement with Iran. And they are ready to go is Iran’s floating storage ily with three young girls in high going to have another chance. facilities. They are ready to go now school from Juneau, AK. They were Traveling around Wyoming during and to move that oil out onto the mar- doing a walk-through of the Capitol, August and part of September, I talked ket. And these supplies will do what? and they came over to my hideaway. to hundreds of people. I found four who They will work to push down global oil We were talking, and I let them know thought maybe we ought to give this a prices. I was finishing the comments on my try—until I asked them this key ques- We know that will be a good thing for statement here. We got to talking tion. I asked: Do you trust Iran? Now, consumers everywhere, but what do we about this agreement, and they wanted I have 100 percent of the people saying do here in this country? We ban the ex- to know my position on it. I said: Quite no. ports of our oil. In effect, we sanction simply, I cannot support an agreement A contractor who had done business ourselves. So we are going to let Iran that fails to make our Nation a safer in Iran said that right after he signed have access to the global oil market, place, that fails to make the world a the contract over there, the Iranian put some 700,000 barrels a day of oil out safer place. who was working the negotiations with there, gain new revenues to help their It has been suggested that this agree- him said: You do realize that when you economy, and also do whatever else ment is better than no deal; in other sign the contract is when the negotia- they may do—create that havoc and words, that a bad deal is better than no tions begin. That is whom we are work- chaos and mischief, and fund terrorism. deal at all. I cannot accept this. I can- ing with on this. We are going to see oil tankers filling not accept this, and I don’t think this Iran’s nuclear program is one of the up at Kharg Island instead of Gal- is a situation where we are holding out most significant threats facing the

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Those changes the international playing is not the only way to prevent Iran’s sanctions took years to implement and field. The President was so pleased that nuclear ambitions. Do you trust Iran? demonstrated the commitment of our Russia signed on. Well, of course they I mentioned that the Iran Nuclear international partners to prevent an did. They get to sell unlimited arms Agreement Review Act is important outcome that would be a disaster. and technology. They gave up nothing. because it requires the deal and all its Under this agreement, we would be giv- Ultimately, this deal will have seri- documents to be sent to Congress for ing up those sanctions in exchange for ous consequences for the national secu- review, but I do understand there are the hope that we can trust Iran. It rity of the United States. I ask you, Do separate side agreements between Iran sounds to me like we are giving up the you trust Iran? and the International Atomic Energy most important tool we have to pre- Several of my colleagues said there is Agency—and so far as I can tell nobody vent a nuclear-capable Iran in ex- no other alternative. That is how it al- from the United States has looked at change for nothing. Do you trust Iran? ways is with a contract or a treaty or those. Those have not been reviewed by I urge my colleagues to oppose this an agreement. You have to vote for or Congress because they haven’t been deal. It is not the best we can get. We against it. I am very disappointed in submitted for our review. I am told will have another opportunity to vote. our negotiators. I don’t think they these side agreements deal with the It ignores the reality of the complex were negotiators. military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear and dangerous political situation in I remember the President saying we program—the parts of Iran’s program the Middle East, and it relies on noth- would be able to have inspections any- that will allow them to launch a nu- ing more than hope that Iran will keep time. That is just as believable as when clear weapon against Israel or Amer- its promise, despite all the times Iran we were going through ObamaCare and ican forces in the Middle East or even- has failed to do so in the past. It trades he said: If you like your insurance pol- tually, with enough work, anywhere in an effective system of sanctions that icy, you can keep it. Nobody got to. the world, including America. You has worked to prevent Iran’s nuclear This is in that same category, except don’t sell someone a weapon whose in- ambition for nothing. It gives Iran ev- this is more serious. We are talking tent is to kill you. Do you trust Iran? erything it needs to pour money and about world peace. We are talking I am deeply concerned that we don’t resources into attacking our allies and about security. have all the facts about this deal. We making the region more dangerous. I Sanctions brought them to the table. need the facts about Iran’s military don’t trust Iran, and I didn’t find any- It was leverage. It worked. Then we program—facts about how confident body in Wyoming who does. gave that up so we could sit down and the administration can be that Iran is I yield the floor. talk to them, and then we didn’t leave complying with the rules. We should The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the table when they wouldn’t agree to not move forward with any agreement ator from Alaska. things that were absolutely needed. until we have a full understanding of f What kind of negotiation is that? That all of the components that are part of is where you trust the Iranians? it and are convinced it is a good deal. MORNING BUSINESS Iran’s goal is to use its nuclear pro- Do you trust Iran? Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I gram to extort its neighbors and Understanding all of the components ask unanimous consent that the Sen- threaten its enemies, and it has made of this deal isn’t just about the docu- ate proceed to a period of morning it very clear that it considers the ments that were submitted to Con- business, with Senators permitted to United States their No. 1 enemy. We gress; it is also about understanding speak for up to 10 minutes each. cannot afford to make the kind of stra- what happens when Iran has the free- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tegic blunder that would give Iran a dom and resources to grab for power objection, it is so ordered. nuclear weapon. We should not give up and position in the region. Do you f the advantages we have that were trust Iran? working to prevent Iran’s nuclear am- The administration has said this deal FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN bitions. That is why we should oppose is a pathway to security and stability. ECUADOR this deal. Again I ask: Do you trust Unfortunately, this administration has Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to Iran? consistently misjudged critical mo- call the Senate’s attention to a situa- President Obama has said that if we ments in the region—most recently, for tion I have spoken about previously, don’t accept this deal, then the only not taking the Islamic State seriously which is the ongoing crackdown by the other option is war with Iran, but this and developing a real strategy to de- Correa Government on what little re- isn’t true. I don’t think anybody be- feat it. Agreeing to this deal is yet an- mains of the independent media in Ec- lieves that. It is the President’s way of other example of the administration uador. trying to convince the American people misjudging the difficult and dangerous One of the things we have come to that his way is the only way—just like situation in the Middle East by believ- expect is that the press—and civil soci- ObamaCare—and that is not true. ing Iran will not take advantage of the ety organizations that expose corrup- One of the advantages of the Iran Nu- situation to attack our allies and un- tion and challenge the officially sanc- clear Agreement Review Act that was dermine American interests. tioned version of reality—are the first passed out of the Senate committee There are numerous ways Iran can casualties in countries whose leaders unanimously is that by requiring the take advantage of this deal, such as— are determined to remain in power at President to submit the deal to Con- mentioned frequently—using the huge any cost. gress for review, both the House and cash infusion that comes with this deal Ecuador is a prime example. In 2013, the Senate as well as the public can see to support Hezbollah or buying arms President Rafael Correa issued a decree what is in the deal—kind of see what is from Russia. This agreement is not a granting the government broad powers in the deal. pathway to peace or stability. It is to intervene in the operations of non- I really object to the other side say- Iran’s springboard to grow into the governmental organizations, NGOs, in- ing we didn’t read that. We read what Middle East’s most dangerous bully. cluding dissolving groups on the vague was available. I reviewed the deal. I There is even a little provision in grounds that they have have heard the administration’s argu- here that any contracts entered into ‘‘compromise[d] public peace’’ or have ments in favor of it, and I don’t believe before snapback can’t be broken. How engaged in activities that were not this deal is the best way to prevent many contracts do we think they will listed when they registered with the Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. I hurry up and do if they get the right to government. A modified version of the

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