Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) announced Wednesday a bill to prevent President Joe Biden from circumventing the U.S. Senate to renegotiate the Iran Nuclear Deal.
The legislation, “Iran Nuclear Deal Advice and Consent Act,” would prevent federal funds from going to the deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It would require current and future administrations to submit any JCPOA successor agreement as a written treaty rather than an international agreement.
In a press release, Blackburn explained that a treaty format, rather than a politically negotiated agreement, would enable Congress to provide oversight and implement international law.
Blackburn added that Biden “bent over backwards” to appease Iran during his vice presidency in the Obama administration. She said that these renewed talks of a nuclear deal would find no different outcome than the failures in years past.
“It’s time for Biden to wake up and realize that the U.S. cannot negotiate an honest agreement with Iran because they are a fanatical, anti-American regime,” asserted Blackburn. “No amount of negotiating or ‘indirect discussions’ can change that.”
Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Rick Scott (R-FL) helped introduce the legislation.
In the House, Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced the legislation in March.
Previous President Donald Trump withdrew from the Obama-era Iran Nuclear Deal in 2018, days before the deadline. A member of the U.S. House at the time, Blackburn praised the decision. The senator’s take on the deal remains the same three years later.
“Iran is a terrorist state whose desire to destroy Israel and undermine the security of the U.S. is well known,” wrote Blackburn. “Quite simply, Iran cannot be trusted. I applaud President Trump for withdrawing from the nuclear deal and putting the safety of Tennesseans and Americans first.”
Iran is a terrorist state whose desire to destroy Israel and undermine the security of the U.S. is well known. Quite simply, Iran cannot be trusted. I applaud President Trump for withdrawing from the nuclear deal and putting the safety of Tennesseans and Americans first. pic.twitter.com/vwd0xQIr1h
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) May 8, 2018
Iran has a track record of violating the nuclear deal. Just last summer, reports documented the country’s increasing stockpiles of enriched uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered a confidential document noting that Iran had nearly 1,600 kilograms of low-enriched uranium, and was enriching it up to 4.5 percent purity.
JCPOA only allowed Iran to have nearly 203 kilograms, and enrich uranium only up to 3.67 percent.
Biden’s renewed talks of rejoining JCPOA has Israel’s government worried, according to reports. Israeli officials noted a lack of trust and insufficient transparency during a cabinet meeting earlier this week.
Israeli officials predicted that the U.S. and other world powers will sign a deal with Iran in the coming weeks.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Another waste of time by Blackburn. What has she actually accomplished as a senator. Nothing that comes to mind other than getting her mug on TV.
Marsha you have been in Washington since 2003 what have you done to help us Tennesseans? You promised to vote for voter integrity and when the riots happened in Washington you showed your true loyalty is not to Tennesseans but Washington DC swamp!
Why don’t you do something good for Tennesseans like put a bill to go to a National sales tax and abolish federal income taxes! Tennessee is a well managed state without a income tax!
I wish Marsha would do something for Tennesseans like publicly call for RINO Mitch McConnell to resign as leader and vote to put someone new with energy snd better optics!
It appears Marsha, Marsha, Marsha is getting nervous about her re-election, putting forth all of these “bills” that have no chance of getting passed or debated, just to get her name in the news. She proved on Jan 6 she is a coward. Let’s see who we can get to primary her. #votethebumsout