[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1285-E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             APPROVAL OF JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 10, 2015

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the 
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by the 
Administration and under consideration by Congress. I believe that this 
agreement is the best way forward to prevent the Islamic Republic of 
Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and provides the United States and 
our allies with mechanisms to monitor and verify Iran's nuclear 
program. The agreement has the support of the international community 
and it gives us the best opportunity to avoid direct military conflict 
with Iran. Many men and women from Guam have paid the ultimate 
sacrifice in support of our country across the world, but most 
especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every lost or wounded servicemember 
is

[[Page E1286]]

a constant reminder of the ultimate price we pay when diplomacy fails 
or, worse, isn't attempted. As Guam's representative to Congress, I 
have a responsibility to my constituents to use my best judgment and to 
do what is necessary to avoid putting their lives at risk when there 
are other options to solve serious geopolitical challenges.
  As Congress debates the JCPOA, it is important to recognize that the 
effort to halt Iran's effort to obtain nuclear weapons was not a 
unilateral effort by the United States but rather a multilateral effort 
with other countries holding a vested interest in a nuclear-free Iran. 
To believe that these countries will agree to renegotiate the agreement 
ignores the political realities of the P5+1 countries. If Congress 
votes to reject this agreement, it would impede our ability to promote 
nuclear nonproliferation in the Middle East, and there are no 
guarantees that other nations, such as China and Russia, would continue 
to impose economic sanctions on Iran. This past weekend, regarding the 
other nations, former Secretary of State Colin Powell stated, ``. . . 
they're all going to be moving forward. We're going to be standing in 
the sidelines.'' The United States does not belong on the sidelines. We 
must recognize the political realities of this deal regardless of 
whether it is perfect or not. It is folly to believe that a better deal 
is out there if we reject the JCPOA.
  As the representative of the people of Guam, I understand the dangers 
when hostile nations are able to obtain nuclear weapons; my 
constituents live under threat that North Korea could develop nuclear 
weapons that directly threatens our island. While there are flaws in 
the agreement that was reached in 1994 with North Korea, I believe it 
is important that we give this deal a chance to be implemented. Though 
we always reserve the right to defend our nation, our allies, and our 
interests, our values dictate that the United States does not have to 
lead with the sword. Diplomacy is always preferable to a military 
solution. However, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter noted that military 
options remain viable should Iran violate the agreement. He wrote, ``. 
. . nothing in the Iran deal constrains the U.S. Defense Department in 
any way or its ability to carry out such a mission.''
  I have reviewed the agreement and have been briefed by Secretary of 
State John Kerry and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, who led the U.S. 
negotiating team. I find their explanations of the agreement's details 
and arguments in favor of its adoption to be compelling. While I cannot 
vote on the floor of the House of Representatives, it is my 
responsibility to make my position on an issue of such importance known 
to my constituents and to our nation. I support the JCPOA and urge my 
colleagues to reject efforts to play politics with our national 
security.

                          ____________________