“We will carefully scrutinize the terms of this agreement. The stakes are high, and the details of this deal matter. A good deal could bring greater stability to the Middle East, more security throughout the world, and help avoid escalation in the region. Congress has an important responsibility in this process, and playing politics right now is the last thing we need.”
— Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Denver
“The Administration has attempted to present Americans with a false choice: either you accept their bad deal with the murderous Iranian regime or else you’re in favor of another war in the Middle East. …
“Reports indicate that this deal accomplishes none of the goals it should, nor the goals the negotiations began with. It would make Iran a globally approved nuclear threshold state. It would endanger our closest ally in the region, Israel. Its sanctions relief would give Iran billions to pour into continued international terror operations. And it would put the national security of the United States in jeopardy by starting a nuclear trip-wire in the Middle East. …”
“For the sake of the region, and the sake of the world, it must be rejected.”
— Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma
“The economic sanctions should be strengthened and only relaxed when Iran stops engaging in state-sponsored terrorism. From my experience in the region, watching Iran fund terrorist attacks against my fellow Marines, I have learned that Iran cannot be trusted. I will stand with our ally Israel in opposing this agreement when it comes before Congress.”
— Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora
“… We must make sure Iran holds up its end of the bargain at every step of the way through strict verification requirements, but this is a positive step toward reducing the nuclear threat that exists in the Middle East and gives peaceful diplomacy a chance to succeed.”
— Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Lakewood
“Throughout negotiations, Iran has acted in bad faith by failing to provide complete information on its nuclear program activities, refusing to allow inspectors full access, and most disturbingly, continuing to sponsor terrorist groups that have shed the blood of U.S. and allied troops and citizens. If Iran has ignored much of the interim deal, it is reckless to assume it will fully adhere to any ‘permanent’ agreement-especially an agreement that rewards bad behavior with eased sanctions … .
“There is no question that a nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat to the national security of the United States and our allies. It cannot be allowed to happen under any circumstance. …”
— Rep. Scott Tipton, R- Cortez
“The concessions are staggering. We will not have the ‘anytime-anywhere’ inspection regime, Iran will not dismantle its centrifuges but instead would be assisted by the major powers in their research and development. Finally, it seems that the administration has capitulated even on the U.N arms embargo that will be lifted in five to eight years.
“Do not be fooled. The options are not between a bad deal and war; on the contrary, it is a bad deal that in all likelihood will pave the way to war, and it is our task to prevent that from happening.”
— Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs
