[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 131 (Friday, September 11, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1265-E1266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             APPROVAL OF JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 10, 2015

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, over the past two years, the U.S., Britain, 
France, Germany, China, and Russia have been negotiating with Iran in 
order to stop Iran's nuclear weapons capability. On July 14, the 
international coalition announced that an agreement had been reached. 
This week Congress will get a chance to vote on the agreement.
  I have carefully studied the text of the agreement, attended 
classified briefings, reviewed classified documents compiled by 
intelligence agencies, listened to the thoughts and concerns of 
Wisconsinites, and met with experts on both sides of the issue, 
including

[[Page E1266]]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent trip to 
Israel.
  Although the agreement is not a perfect solution to a complex 
problem, I believe the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is 
the best option to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Before 
negotiations began, Iran was steadily improving its nuclear weapon 
capability. It was estimated by our intelligence community that Iran 
was only a few months away from developing a bomb, which is 
unacceptable.
  Under terms of the agreement, Iran must significantly dismantle its 
nuclear program. Iran's uranium stockpile will be greatly reduced, its 
number of nuclear enrichment centrifuges cut by two thirds, and its 
advanced centrifuge research and development severely limited. A group 
of our nation's top nuclear scientists praised the technical terms of 
the agreement and argued that it provides assurance that Iran will not 
develop a nuclear weapon in the next decade.
  Iran's history of cheating on agreements, such as the Nuclear Non-
Proliferation Treaty, has fostered an environment of distrust, which is 
why this agreement is based on ``distrust and verify.'' The agreement 
will be enforced and monitored by the International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA) with our help and resources. The inspection regimen is 
unprecedented, and most experts believe that it would be very difficult 
for Iran to cheat without detection. Should Iran fail to comply with 
the agreement, the sanctions that forced Iran to the negotiating table 
will ``snap back'' into place. The president has made clear that no 
options are taken off the table under this agreement.
  The JCPOA is not perfect. I have serious concerns with some aspects 
of the agreement, especially the prospect of Iran receiving billions in 
sanctions relief that may be used for nefarious purposes. We must 
continue to enhance the security of Israel and other allies in the 
region. It is important to make it clear to Iran and the international 
community that Israel's security is our security.
  Given the rhetoric coming from some in Iran and its behavior in the 
region, Israel is understandably skeptical of any agreement with 
Iranian leaders. But after speaking to opponents of the agreement, 
including Netanyahu, I have yet to hear a viable alternative that will 
maintain an international coalition to continue economic sanctions or 
support preemptive military action if needed.
  It is easier to deal with an Iran without a nuclear weapon than 
trying to work backwards once Iran has manufactured a weapon. This 
agreement gives us the best opportunity to avoid military action and 
may accomplish our ultimate objective: to prevent Iran from obtaining a 
nuclear weapon, protecting the security of our allies in the region, 
and avoiding a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

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