Declaring It is the Policy of the United States That A Nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran is Not Acceptable

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 559) declaring it is the policy of the United States that a nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran is not acceptable.

The Clerk read the title of the resolution.

The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 559

Whereas an Islamic Republic of Iran that possesses a nuclear weapon would be an unacceptable threat to regional and global security;

Whereas Iran continues to enrich and stockpile uranium far in excess of the limits set under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015);

Whereas the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed in May 2023 that Iran continues to enrich uranium to 60-percent purity;

Whereas the United States Ambassador to the Vienna Office of the United Nations and to the IAEA, Laura Holgate, affirmed ``Iran's production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent has no credible peaceful purpose.'';

Whereas IAEA investigators found uranium particles enriched to 83.7 percent at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility in January 2023;

Whereas uranium enriched to 90 percent is weapons-grade material;

Whereas at a press conference in January 2023, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated regarding Iran: ``One thing is true: They have amassed enough nuclear material for several nuclear weapons.'';

Whereas, in March 2023, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, testified that ``Iran could produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon in less than two weeks and would only take several more months to produce an actual nuclear weapon.'';

Whereas Iran is now in possession of irreversible and dangerous nuclear knowledge;

Whereas Iran's ongoing nuclear escalation poses a serious threat to the United States and its partners and allies including Israel; and

Whereas international complacency toward Iran's illicit nuclear program threatens the global nonproliferation regime: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives declares it is the policy of the United States--

(1) that a nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran is not acceptable;

(2) that Iran must not be able to obtain a nuclear weapon under any circumstances or conditions;

(3) to use all means necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon; and

(4) to recognize and support the freedom of action of partners and allies, including Israel, to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Mr. Speaker, Iran is a destabilizing force in the region that poses a threat to our allies and to our national security interests.

That is why I introduced this resolution with a bipartisan group of cosponsors to make a clear, simple, and vital statement that it is the official policy of the United States that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable and that we will use all means necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

This resolution is short and to the point. There is no hedging or equivocation. If we project weakness, it will only embolden Iran.

In recent years, Iran has pushed its nuclear provocations to the brink, enriching uranium to 60 percent and openly violating both the JCPOA and its nonproliferation treaty obligations, and even kicking out one-third of inspectors from the IAEA.

Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. The Iranian regime has funded Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups to the tune of $100 million per year. Five hundred Hamas fighters reportedly trained in Iran in September before the October 7 invasion and terrorist attack.

What is Hamas doing right now?

It is waging a barbaric war against our friend and ally, Israel, and now Iran's proxies are engaged in nearly daily attacks on our soldiers--on U.S. troops--in the Middle East who remain in the region to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.

Put simply, we need to restore deterrence against Iran. We need to use every tool at our disposal to keep Iran from having a nuclear weapon. It is critical that this body votes together to send a clear and loud message that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon under any circumstances.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Brad Schneider from Illinois, for joining me in introducing this resolution. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this resolution today, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the right to close.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, we have seen repeatedly through history that weakness invites aggression. We certainly saw that in World War II with Hitler's aggression. Our adversaries, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly working together to upend the global balance of power. They are enabling each other's aggression against the United States and our allies.

This body has a responsibility to project strength and protect the American people. We will speak with one voice as we deliver a clear message that Iran's nuclear escalation must stop, that a nuclear Iran is simply unacceptable, and that the United States will never permit a nuclear Iran to exist.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this important resolution, which is an important voice of the United States of America through its Representatives, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source