[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1181-E1182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NUCLEAR IRAN PREVENTION ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 31, 2013

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I agree with the goals of H.R. 
850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013, to prevent Iran from 
obtaining nuclear weapons and establishing clear controls and 
transparency so that it cannot move toward becoming a nuclear weapon 
state. Despite that, I have grave concerns with the timing of this vote 
as well as amendments made to the bill in Committee.

[[Page E1182]]

   As marked up in Committee, H.R. 850 places inappropriate and 
counter-effective restrictions on the President's authority to waive 
sanctions in exchange for Iranian concessions that would be in the 
national security interest of our Nation and in the security interests 
of our ally Israel. By attempting to hobble the President's Article II 
authority to engage in foreign policy on behalf of the United States, 
the bill would limit the President's negotiating ability and thereby 
undermine our diplomatic efforts; this is particularly concerning given 
that the White House has signaled willingness to restart direct 
negotiations with Iran.
   It is especially counterproductive to vote on this measure before 
Iran's new president is inaugurated on August 4, 2013. In fact, experts 
have argued a vote on new sanctions ahead of the inauguration would 
only benefit Iranian hardliners opposed to compromising their goal for 
a nuclear Iran.
   Lastly, this bill should include language explicitly stating that 
nothing in its provisions is intended to or may be used as a basis for 
authorization for war with Iran. The bill as currently written is too 
open to interpretation and I strongly oppose this Congress granting an 
implicit authorization for war, especially in the wake of the two wars 
we have so devastatingly waged over the past decade.
   Because of these flawed provisions, I voted against H.R. 850. I look 
forward to working with colleagues to amend it as it moves through 
conference.

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