House minority whip joins Iran deal supporters

House Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer (Md.) will back the Iran agreement despite serious concerns about whether the deal will keep Tehran’s nuclear aspirations in check.

{mosads}Hoyer said Wednesday in a detailed 2,243-word statement that after delving into the international nuclear agreement, he will join a majority of his colleagues in supporting the deal and opposing a Republican-backed resolution of disapproval.

“This agreement is not one which I would have negotiated, nor one I think should have been agreed to, given the collective strength of the P5+1 compared to that of Iran,” Hoyer said about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

A vote is expected in the House this week and possibly on Friday in the Senate, where President Obama has enough Democratic support to block a resolution of disapproval.

After much deliberation, Hoyer said he concluded that the battle over the deal must move from the halls of Congress to the international stage to ensure that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.

“It is now time to move beyond divisive debate and pour our energy into strengthening the bipartisan U.S.-Israel partnership, not trying to undo the JCPOA through endless legislative maneuvers,” Hoyer said.

He said that “no matter how deep, how personal, and how sincere my concerns about this agreement are, they ultimately do not outweigh the need for a united position on Iran.”

Despite his reservations, Hoyer was adamant that Congress stand together on the deal, arguing that his vote will “send a signal to our allies and to Iran that the United States is serious about meeting the commitments our negotiators have made — and, more importantly, that Congress will work in a bipartisan way with the Administration to ensure that this agreement is fully and effectively enforced.

“When our government is divided, it raises questions to our partners and — even more problematically — to our adversaries, about our unity of purpose in fulfilling America’s global security role,” he said.

“We must stand together to confront the threats from Iran. If we do not, there will be very consequential and long-term global ramifications.”

Hoyer acknowledged that the agreement puts serious constraints on Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon and provides the United States and the global community with a chance to assess Iran’s capabilities and enforce the agreement.

“If adhered to and enforced, which must be our objective, it will provide insight into Iran’s activities and oversight of Iran’s performance of its obligations,” Hoyer said.

“That is why, going forward, I will support vigorous efforts to enforce this agreement.”

But he also suggested the deal strengthens the Iranian regime by allowing Tehran to only partially meet the objectives set out by the international community in exchange for the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions.

“I believe this agreement gives too much to Iran and demands too little in return,” he said.

To that end, Hoyer said the deal must be used to not only ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon but must also stop Tehran’s support for terrorism and other activities that threaten regional security.

“There is no greater danger to the peace and security of the United States and the Middle East than Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon and its continued efforts to achieve regional hegemony,” Hoyer said.

He also tried to build consensus around the deal, arguing that those who have decided to support the agreement also “care deeply about America’s role in the world and the security of Israel and our allies, and all are determined to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

“Suggestions to the contrary are dangerous and undeserved, and they must not be allowed to weaken the bipartisanship Congress enjoys with regard to support for Israel,” he said.

“The best form of reconciliation will be a bipartisan commitment to action. I look forward to doing my part to facilitate this process.”