Obama Administration on Congressional Vote

 

"Today, the Senate took an historic step forward and voted to enable the United States to work with our international partners to enable the implementation of the comprehensive, long-term deal that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This vote is a victory for diplomacy, for American national security, and for the safety and security of the world. For nearly two years, we negotiated from a position of strength to reach an agreement that meets our core objectives. Since we concluded these negotiations, we have had the most consequential national security debate since the decision to invade Iraq more than a decade ago. Over the last several weeks, the more members studied the details of this deal, the more they came out in support. Today, I am heartened that so many Senators judged this deal on the merits, and am gratified by the strong support of lawmakers and citizens alike. Going forward, we will turn to the critical work of implementing and verifying this deal so that Iran cannot pursue a nuclear weapon, while pursuing a foreign policy that leaves our country - and the world - a safer place."

 

"Today’s vote in the House of Representatives is the latest indication that the more members have studied the historic deal that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, the more they have come out in support of it. As we conclude the most consequential national security debate since the decision to invade Iraq, I am gratified that the lawmakers, led by Democratic Leader Pelosi, who have taken care to judge the deal on the merits are joining our allies and partners around the world in taking steps that will allow for the implementation of this long-term, comprehensive deal. Now, we must turn to the critical work of implementing and verifying this deal so that Iran cannot pursue a nuclear weapon. In doing so, we’ll write the latest chapter of American leadership in the pursuit of a safer, more hopeful world."
—Sept. 11, 2015, in a statement

 

"Today’s vote by the U.S. Senate is an important step forward toward the United States and its international partners implementing the agreement reached in Vienna on July 14, 2015, to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.  This agreement, when implemented, will make the United States, our friends and allies in the Middle East, and the entire world safer.

 

"I am grateful to the Members of the Senate who carefully reviewed the agreement and deliberated on its provisions.  I know that for many of my former colleagues, this decision was extremely difficult, but I am convinced that the benefits of the agreement far outweigh any potential drawbacks.  The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action includes the most extensive verification and transparency provisions ever negotiated; it mandates strict cutbacks and enduring limits on Iran’s nuclear activities; and it prohibits Iran from developing a nuclear weapon forever. 

 

"Going forward, the State Department and the entire Administration will be fully committed to implementing and verifying this agreement to ensure that Iran lives up to the commitments it has made.  We will also continue to work closely with our partners and allies in the region to deepen our security cooperation, and to counter Iran’s destabilizing behavior, including its support for terrorism."

 

“They essentially had 60 days to play the spoiler. Congress' opportunity to play that role will expire next week. And that will be good news and it will mean the international community can move forward with implementing the agreement.”
—Sept, 10, 2015, in a press briefing

 

 

 

(Remarks from press gaggle hours before the Senate vote)

 

Question:  On the Iran vote, there’s some debate among Republicans as to whether to delay the vote, whether that 60-day period should have actually started or not because of the so-called side deals, whether or not once those are disclosed, the 60-day period would actually begin.  What’s your position on that?

 

MR. SCHULTZ:  Sounds like a plan hatched up at Tortilla Coast on a Tuesday night.  I have seen some press reports on the internal Republican strife.  Our belief is that Congress, through much debate, set up their own oversight mechanism for this deal. You all covered that process extensively.  I think that was a debate about the debate.  And our view has been that according to their own design, they can play the spoiler in this deal, and that would be by passing and, if necessary, overturning a resolution of disapproval.  

 

We’ve been gratified that over the past few weeks, as more lawmakers learn and study this complicated deal, the passing or overturning a veto on a resolution like that has become less and less likely. ...

 

Thankfully, many in Congress who have taken the time to review the deal have concluded, as the President has, that diplomacy is the best way to cut off Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon.  I expect we’ll hear a lot of the same arguments today as we’ve heard for the past few months, but I don’t expect them to carry any more sway than they already have.

Question:  Republicans are discussing the idea of a lawsuit against the administration over the so-called side agreement between the IAEA and Iran.  Do you have any reaction to that tactic to try to stop this deal?

 

MR. SCHULTZ:  Well, I don’t know if they don’t like how the results are shaping up, or maybe they’re just getting second thoughts about casting a vote to put us on the road to another military conflict.  But, Toluse, I think anyone who reads the Corker legislation will see explicitly that if Congress does not vote, this agreement goes into effect.  It’s as simple as that.

 

Question: They also say that that legislation indicates that any side deal should be disclosed to Congress, and that’s the grounds that they were going to sue on.  Do you all have a -- I’m sure you don’t agree with that, but can you give your rationale for why the side agreement is a part of this legislation?

 

MR. SCHULTZ:  To be clear, there’s no side agreement.  But the document to which you’re referring has been briefed extensively to any member of Congress who wishes to learn more about it.  That includes both in classified settings and also more generic settings.  And I think you all have observed the robust outreach this administration has done to members of Congress.  That includes both White House officials all the way up to the President of the United States, but also includes officials at relevant agencies, like the Department of State, the Department of Defense, Department of Treasury and Department of Energy.

 

So we’ve made clear that we will brief any member of Congress who asks about these aspects.  But it seems like those calling for this are also those who made up their minds about this deal before it was even announced.