Lincoln Journal Star - Don Walton: Fortenberry Weighs Iran Agreement Vote

News Article

By Don WaltonJeff Fortenberry's weekend report to his constituents assessing the proposed Iran nuclear deal is measured and thoughtful.

That's not unusual for Nebraska's 1st District congressman, a contemplative guy who recently told C-SPAN's Book TV he currently is reading Will Durant's "The Story of Philosophy."

Fortenberry says we all need to weigh "the risk of an agreement and the risk of no agreement" before reaching a judgment.

"Iran could use it as a ruse to develop a nuclear weapon, but I think this is unlikely," he wrote candidly.

"However, the agreement confers upon Iran a status as a threshold nuclear state, an unprecedented dynamic in international affairs for a country with such problematic entanglements," he stated.

Further negotiation to acquire a better deal is "virtually impossible," Fortenberry wrote, knocking down the idea that somehow everyone would willingly return to the negotiating table and negotiating partners would keep current sanctions in place.

While the Iranian regime is led by hardliners and theocrats, Fortenberry noted, "a majority of the country is under age 30 and more oriented toward the West, interested in openness, dialogue and opportunity."

"New dynamics exist that could chart a better way forward," Fortenberry wrote. "In a perfect scenario, the agreement could ultimately open a gateway for Iran to have a better relationship with the United States and the world."

Iran's cultural and political contradictions "cloud the view of the future," he said.

Fortenberry has made it clear he has not decided yet how he will vote on approval or rejection of the deal, but it's hard to imagine a more open, honest and balanced view of the issue than the one he has shared with his constituents.

As of today, it appears almost certain that Sen. Deb Fischer, Sen. Ben Sasse and Rep. Adrian Smith, all Republicans, will vote to reject the agreement.

Fortenberry, a Republican, and Rep. Brad Ashford, a Democrat, could go either way.

Source