Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015
Floor Speech
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Mr. CRUZ. Madam President, reserving the right to object, in the hours that have followed the tragic shooting in San Bernardino, when all our prayers are with the families of those who were murdered and those who were injured, more and more of us are becoming concerned that this reflects a manifestation of radical Islamic terrorism here in America. The facts are still not entirely clear, but in the wake of the Paris attack, it is appearing more and more likely that is what this was.
In the wake of these horrific attacks by radical Islamic terrorists, it has become abundantly clear that President Obama's Iranian nuclear deal----
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Mr. CRUZ. In light of these terrorist attacks, President Obama's Iranian nuclear deal looks worse and worse and worse.
The idea that the United States of America would be sending over $100 billion to the Ayatollah Khamenei--the leading financier of terrorism in the world--is profoundly foolhardy. At the time that deal was being negotiated, I sent a letter to Secretary Kerry informing Secretary Kerry that under no circumstances should the Obama administration attempt to go to the United Nations and circumvent Congress with this foolhardy and catastrophic deal. In that letter to Secretary Kerry I said explicitly: Under no circumstances should the executive branch take such action before the congressional review process is complete. Thus, I ask that you provide written assurances that you will take all necessary steps to block any U.N. Security Council resolution approving the JCPOA until the statutory time line for congressional review has run its course. Until you provide such assurances, I intend to block all nominees for the Department of State and hold any legislation that reauthorizes funds for the Department of State.
This was fair warning, given ahead of time, that the State Department should not try to circumvent the Congress, should not try to undermine U.S. sovereignty, and should not go to the United Nations to try to approve a deal--particularly a deal that profoundly endangers the national security of this country. The Obama administration ignored my warnings and went to the United Nations anyway.
I would note that under the terms of the Congressional Review Act, the congressional review period has not yet run. The Congressional Review Act says that time does not begin to run until the President submits the entire deal to Congress. That statute defines the entire deal to include any and all side agreements. We know of at least two side agreements governing inspections that have not yet been given to this body. So, accordingly, the congressional review period has not yet begun, much less ceased.
When I told Secretary Kerry that if the State Department circumvented Congress and went to the United Nations, I would block State Department nominees, that was not an empty threat. Therefore, I object.
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Mr. CRUZ. Madam President, reserving the right to object, the single greatest national security threat facing the United States today is the threat of a nuclear Iran. The President's catastrophic Iran deal only increases the likelihood the Ayatollah Khamenei will possess nuclear weapons.
There are some in this body who suggest we should trust Iran. Well, I do trust Iran. When the Ayatollah Khamenei, with a cheering crowd, burns Israeli flags and American flags and promises ``Death to America,'' I trust the Ayatollah means what he is saying. Therefore, we should not be giving him over $100 billion and facilitating his getting nuclear weapons. Therefore, I object.
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Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, reserving the right to object. When Secretary Kerry chose to ignore my request that the State Department not submit this catastrophic Iranian nuclear deal to the United Nations, Secretary Kerry did so with open eyes. He did so knowing the consequences because I had spelled them out explicitly; that the political nominees he would want to put forward at the Department of State would not proceed if Secretary Kerry chose to undermine the authority of the Congress of the United States, to undermine the sovereignty of this country, and to instead treat the United Nations as the relevant decisionmaking body. He did so nonetheless.
As a consequence, the Obama administration is proceeding forward under this Iranian nuclear deal as if it is binding law. The Obama administration is proceeding ultra vires. They are proceeding contrary to law under the explicit terms of the Congressional Review Act. The period of time for congressional review has not begun to commence because the Obama administration has not submitted the entire deal to the U.S. Congress. They have not submitted the side deals. As a consequence, under explicit U.S. law, it is contrary to the law for the Obama administration to lift sanctions on Iran.
I wish to note to any bank at home or abroad that is in possession of Iranian assets, any bank that chooses to release those assets to the Ayatollah Khamenei or to other Iranian interests will be acting directly contrary to Federal statutory law. Even though President Obama and Secretary Kerry are choosing to disregard the law, that does not exonerate the private banks from potential civil liability in the billions or even criminal liability. The stakes are too high. I move to lay that motion on the table.
As we wrestle with the ravages of radical Islamic terrorism, the idea that the President of the United States is trying to send over $100 billion to the Ayatollah Khameini--a theocratic zealot who promises death to America--makes no sense at all. It means that if and when those billions of dollars are used to fund jihadists who murder Americans, the blood of those murders will be on this administration's hands. If you give billions of dollars to jihadists who have pledged to commit murder, you cannot wash your hands of responsibility for their doing exactly what they have told you they would do. Accordingly, I object.
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