Senator Roberts Issues Statement on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's Address

Statement

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today released the following statement after attending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a Joint Session of Congress:

"Right now, the Administration is engaging in additional discussions with Iran regarding its nuclear program.

"I firmly believe this does nothing to assuage the Iranians from their nuclear ambitions, but does everything to hurt the U.S.-Israel relationship.

"The Prime Minister is correct: a nuclear Iran is a direct threat to Israel's security. Together, we must do all that we can to stop it.

"I am concerned with the reports that we are getting from the nuclear negotiations with Iran.

"Any deal that would allow Iran to retain vast portions of its nuclear infrastructure and enrichment capability is a bad deal.

"Any deal that would eventually allow Iran to become a nuclear state is a bad deal.

"Any deal that holds out a promise of economic relief to Tehran in exchange for flimsy promises is a bad deal.

"Given Iran's nuclear determination, I believe the Congress should move ahead with legislation that would provide an insurance policy.

"I am proud to cosponsor legislation introduced by Senator Mark Kirk and Senator Bob Menendez that would escalate sanctions on Iran in the event that no deal is reached or if Iran breaches the deal.

"And should the Administration reach a deal -- which they seem so determined to do -- Congress should not be shut out of the progress.

"To that end, I strongly support Senator Corker's bill that would give Congress the power to veto any bad deal that would threaten Israeli and U.S. national security.

"It is important to remember that international sanctions are what brought Iran to the negotiation table. Given the stakes, sanctions should play a role in the aftermath of these negotiations."

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