Rounds, Blackburn Introduce Legislation Preventing Unilateral Deal with Iranian Regime
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn) introduced legislation to curb President Biden’s ability to renegotiate the failed Iran Nuclear Deal. Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) are original cosponsors. The legislation was led by Representative Andy Barr (R-Ky.) in the House of Representatives.
“The Iran nuclear deal remains an incredibly bad deal for the U.S. and our allies,” said Senator Rounds. “Not only do we need a stronger deal that prevents Iran from ever obtaining nuclear weapons, but we need a deal that includes the Advice and Consent of the Senate. Our legislation will make certain that no federal funds go toward rejoining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.”
“The Obama-Biden administration bent over backwards to appease Iran and even sent a jumbo-jet filled with $400 million in pallets of cash to the murderous regime,” said Senator Blackburn. “It’s time for Biden to wake up and realize that the U.S. cannot negotiate an honest agreement with Iran because they are a fanatical, anti-American regime. No amount of negotiating or ‘indirect discussions’ can change that. My legislation will prevent Biden from circumventing the U.S. Senate to salvage the failed deal or forge a new, just as disastrous one.”
"Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and simply must never be allowed to pursue its nuclear ambitions,” said former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft. “Time and again, the Iranian regime has fueled conflict and human suffering throughout the Middle East and poses a particular threat to Israel, America's most critical ally in the region. How can we trust the Iranian regime with the world’s safety and security?"
BACKGROUND
The proposed legislation, S.1205 the Iran Nuclear Deal Advice and Consent Act, would prevent federal funds from being obligated or expended in the furtherance of rejoining the JCPOA and would require current and future presidential administrations to submit in writing to the House and Senate a JCPOA successor agreement as a treaty versus an international agreement.
As agreed to in the Obama administration, the JCPOA is neither a treaty nor a signed executive agreement – but simply a politically negotiated agreement, with only a few included terms regarded as binding by international law. By submitting a JCPOA successor or any similar deal as an official treaty, it would allow for essential congressional oversight and implementation of international law through the entirety of the agreement.
Companion legislation, H.R. 1479, was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Barr in March 2021.
###
