Expressing Sense of House Regarding Importance of Preventing Iran from Acquiring a Nuclear Weapons Capability

Floor Speech

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss my vote in favor of H. Res. 568.

I would like to clarify that nothing in this resolution authorizes or empowers military action by the United States or U.S. encouragement of the use of force by any other country at this time. I have long made plain my conviction that all options should be available with respect to the Iranian nuclear program. I do not believe the military option should be taken off the table for future discussion at a future time. However, this is not an appropriate time to seriously consider or even to hint at military strikes. Most informed observers believe sanctions are heavily affecting the Iranian regime and may be moving it to recognize that the international community is united in opposition to its nuclear project. This is not the moment to loosen the screws, nor is it the moment for cheap bellicosity. Issues of peace and war should not be exploited for political advantage.

I vote yes despite these concerns. I regret that the leadership of this House has chosen this moment to make an unnecessary and untimely political statement. I believe this is profoundly ill timed and injudicious. I call upon the House leadership to stop holding such unhelpful votes at politically charged moments. This resolution heightens the rhetoric in a way that is at best unhelpful to ongoing, promising diplomatic efforts and may be actively damaging.
In addition, I note that the inclusion of language regarding Iran's ``nuclear weapons capability'' is overly broad and undefined. When considering such weighty issues, clarity is of the utmost importance, and Congress should be precise in what we are asking for in this resolution so that we may avoid misinterpretation.

Finally, I point out that the last resolve clause, which ``urges the President to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with nuclear-weapons capability and opposition to any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat,'' is unnecessary and insulting. President Obama has always been clear, forceful, and mature when dealing with the Iranian nuclear program. It is evident that this clause is a political statement meant to score points during a political season.

Nonetheless, with these concerns I am required to vote. Though I considered answering present, I want to be clear about my strong stance on this issue. I do believe that a nuclear armed Iran would pose a danger to the peace of the region and the world. So, today I vote in favor of H. Res. 568, with the clear concerns I have stated.

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