[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 9, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H5864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. 
Res. 64, Disapproving of the agreement transmitted to Congress by the 
President on July 19, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran.
  First, I would like to commend all of the individuals from the Obama 
administration and their counterparts across the globe for their 
tireless work in this agreement.
  Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, this is as close as our country 
and the international community have come to signing a peace agreement. 
That progress did not come without significant sacrifice of personal 
and professional time. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, I cannot support the 
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. While I commend all those involved 
and recognize the importance of a comprehensive nuclear agreement, I do 
not believe in what we are getting.
  Over the past 30 years, the international community has been 
subjected to Iranian threats and bully behaviors. The international 
community has also had to tolerate Iran's constant threats to destroy 
our Nation and the State of Israel, our staunch ally. For too long, the 
community of nations has dealt with Iran's funding of terrorism 
throughout the Middle East and the world.
  I am unable to support a deal that would allow the Iranian regime to 
continue to perpetrate these actions without repercussions. It is 
important to mention that these are not just my beliefs.
  Since the announcement in July, my office has received hundreds of 
contacts from constituents opposing the Iran agreement.
  In the month of August, I held town halls, hosted meetings and 
conducted constituent visits.
  The majority of those interactions affirmed the people in our 
district do not trust Iran.
  The State of Israel should not have to worry about more threats and 
potentially expanded attacks funded by Iranian petro-dollars.
  The United States shouldn't have to provide relief to a regime that 
continues to call for our destruction and those of our allies.
  I believe the delay and dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program is a 
laudable goal, perhaps one of the most important in the world.
  I also believe that we should work to alleviate the pressures and 
foster the goals of the Iranian people.
  The young people in Iran are being held accountable for the actions 
of an autocratic, religiously-motivated panel of leaders.
  However, we cannot ignore 30 years of unrelenting threats and 
condemnable behavior for a decade or less of nuclear concessions.
  In Texas, perception is often reality and if you are perceived as a 
bully, then you'll be treated as one.
  We spent too many years bringing Iran to the table through sanctions 
and diplomatic pressures.
  We cannot easily forget the history between the two countries but we 
can hopefully work toward a better situation.
  As long as our friends and allies in the Middle East and around the 
world feel the threat of Iranian influence, our job as the United 
States is to hold the regime accountable in every way possible.
  It is my hope we work together to block this deal and use its 
framework to get a better deal.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose H.J. Res. 64 and I yield back.

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