Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Remains Cautious on Iran Nuclear Deal

Press Release

On the heels of this morning's announcement of a nuclear deal with Iran, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees, issued the following statement:

"While the ideal outcome of these negotiations is an enforceable agreement which stops Iran from developing or obtaining a nuclear weapon, Congress must now carefully examine the details of this deal to see if it truly accomplishes that outcome. What's most important is that our nation's leaders stay focused on what is in our nation's best interest, and not allow partisan politics to interfere with their objectivity," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. "We need to see a tough, verifiable inspections regime that applies anytime and anywhere, including military sites. Sanctions relief must be tied tightly to Iran's compliance with the deal. Actual snap-back sanctions and enforcement mechanisms must be in place.

"We cannot afford to make the same mistake with Iran that was made with North Korea. The failure to stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons has resulted in an unacceptable threat: North Korea's long-range missiles, coupled with its nuclear warhead stockpile, puts my home state of Hawaiʻi and the West Coast directly in Pyongyang's cross-hairs. As Congress and the American people consider this deal, we must ensure that we do not end up in the same situation with Iran."

In May, Congress passed the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, which gives Congress 60 days to review the agreement before it can be implemented. The law directs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, of which Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is a member, to hold hearings and briefings during the 60-day congressional review period to consider the agreement. By mid-September, Congress will have three options: (1) pass a joint resolution by both the Senate and the House favoring the agreement; (2) take no action, which would allow the lifting of sanctions consistent with the agreement; or (3) pass a joint resolution of disapproval.

If the President vetoes a joint resolution of disapproval from Congress, Congress would have 10 days to attempt to override the veto, which would require a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate. Should the veto override fail, the Administration would be able to implement the agreement.

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