Rep. Scott Garrett: Congress Must Ensure that Iran Never Gains Nuclear Weapons
May 14, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) issued the following statement after voting against the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, H.R. 1191, today because it did not ensure that Iran never gains nuclear weapons:
“My priority is ensuring Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. The Obama Administration is negotiating a treaty with Iran, and therefore is responsible for delivering to Congress a deal that protects the United States and its allies. Unfortunately, the treaty that the Obama Administration is negotiating does not do this, and therefore I cannot support today’s legislation because it facilitates its implementation. Instead of requiring a two-thirds majority to approve the treaty—as prescribed by the Constitution—this legislation turns the Constitution on its head and requires a two-thirds majority to block the administration’s treaty. As a member of the Iran Sanctions Conference Committee, I have long fought for strict sanctions against this dangerous totalitarian regime, and I will continue to work to prevent them from fulfilling their nuclear ambitions.”
Menendez Iran sanctions bill passes House without support of N.J.’s Garrett
By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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on May 14, 2015 at 7:53 PM, updated May 15, 2015 at 7:03 AM
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House cleared legislation Thursday providing for congressional review of any nuclear deal with Iran, with Rep. Scott Garrett one of only 19 Republicans to vote no.
The measure was co-authored by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), who was ranking member of the panel until voluntarily stepping aside following his April 1 indictment on criminal corruption charges.
The House vote was 400-25, with Garrett (R-5th Dist.) the only New Jersey lawmaker lining up in opposition.
Garrett said the deal never guarantees that Iran won’t eventually build a nuclear weapon.