[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING IRAN FROM 
                 ACQUIRING A NUCLEAR WEAPONS CAPABILITY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2012

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss my vote in favor of 
H. Res. 568.
  I would like to clarify that nothing in this resolution authorizes or 
empowers military action by the United States or U.S. encouragement of 
the use of force by any other country at this time. I have long made 
plain my conviction that all options should be available with respect 
to the Iranian nuclear program. I do not believe the military option 
should be taken off the table for future discussion at a future time. 
However, this is not an appropriate time to seriously consider or even 
to hint at military strikes. Most informed observers believe sanctions 
are heavily affecting the Iranian regime and may be moving it to 
recognize that the international community is united in opposition to 
its nuclear project. This is not the moment to loosen the screws, nor 
is it the moment for cheap bellicosity. Issues of peace and war should 
not be exploited for political advantage.
  I vote yes despite these concerns. I regret that the leadership of 
this House has chosen this moment to make an unnecessary and untimely 
political statement. I believe this is profoundly ill timed and 
injudicious. I call upon the House leadership to stop holding such 
unhelpful votes at politically charged moments. This resolution 
heightens the rhetoric in a way that is at best unhelpful to ongoing, 
promising diplomatic efforts and may be actively damaging.
  In addition, I note that the inclusion of language regarding Iran's 
``nuclear weapons capability'' is overly broad and undefined. When 
considering such weighty issues, clarity is of the utmost importance, 
and Congress should be precise in what we are asking for in this 
resolution so that we may avoid misinterpretation.
  Finally, I point out that the last resolve clause, which ``urges the 
President to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with nuclear-
weapons capability and opposition to any policy that would rely on 
containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat,'' 
is unnecessary and insulting. President Obama has always been clear, 
forceful, and mature when dealing with the Iranian nuclear program. It 
is evident that this clause is a political statement meant to score 
points during a political season.
  Nonetheless, with these concerns I am required to vote. Though I 
considered answering present, I want to be clear about my strong stance 
on this issue. I do believe that a nuclear armed Iran would pose a 
danger to the peace of the region and the world. So, today I vote in 
favor of H. Res. 568, with the clear concerns I have stated.

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