[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 15, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H3716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RUSSIA NEGOTIATES THE U.S.-IRAN DEAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McCarthy) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, before I begin today's remarks, I will 
take a moment to acknowledge the devastating news of the two confirmed 
American deaths in Ukraine: Brent Renaud, an American journalist 
working with a documentary film team who was fatally shot over the 
weekend; and FOX News network just confirmed moments ago one of their 
cameramen, Pierre Zakrzewski, was killed while on assignment in 
Ukraine.
  An entire nation grieves with their families as they mourn the loss 
of their loved ones.
  We also continue to pray for the recovery of FOX News correspondent, 
Benjamin Hall, who suffered serious injuries while covering the war.
  Now, Madam Speaker, on Sunday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired 
dozens of missiles near the U.S. consulate in Iraq. This brazen attack 
on a civilian area by the terrorist arm of the Iranian regime was 
unjustified, illegal, and dangerous.
  Madam Speaker, the President of the United States has not said one 
word about these missiles from Iran--which has bragged about it--
towards the U.S. consulate in Iraq. Iran continues to wage an 
aggressive terror campaign against America and our allies.
  Remember, Madam Speaker, Iran's Parliament has chanted ``death to 
America'' and the commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guard has 
vowed to set ablaze Israel. I would think with missiles being shot at 
Americans that the Secretary of State and--at the very least--the 
President of the United States would say and stand against this. Yet, 
the Biden administration is quietly rushing ahead with a bad agreement 
that would give Iran--the world's leading state sponsor of terror--
nuclear weapons.
  President Biden has kept Congress and the American people in the dark 
about this dangerous deal which is illegal and goes against legislation 
this body has passed. Madam Speaker, when you look at the troubling 
terms, it is easily seen why they want to keep us and America in the 
dark.
  It would lift our most significant terrorism and missile sanctions 
and send Iran hundreds of billions of dollars. That means that Iran 
would see the windfall of cash to continue their terror campaign they 
had engaged in on Sunday and every day.
  This agreement is entirely on Iran's terms.
  But what is even worse is: Who is negotiating it?
  While the world looks at the evil of Putin and Russia killing 
innocent people and murdering throughout Ukraine, it is this 
administration that has Russia negotiating with Iran on America's 
behalf.
  Now, what does the Russian Ambassador say?
  He says that the deal that the Biden administration is negotiating 
gives Iran much more than it could expect, much more. And in return for 
making significant concessions, we get nothing: no serious system to 
check if the Iranian regime is cheating on the terms of the deal; no 
safeguards against Iranian terrorism like we saw on Sunday targeting 
Americans; no leverage over the expanded trade between Russia, China, 
and Iran; and nothing to help the Iranian people.
  This reported agreement is even worse than the Obama Iran deal of 
2015. Under the terms of this deal, Iran would be a nuclear state in 
the blink of an eye. It would have enough uranium to create nuclear 
bombs which would endanger America, Israel, and the entire world.
  This is not only unthinkable, it is unacceptable. We should not allow 
the rogue Iranian regime to have nuclear weapons. The Biden 
administration has made a dangerous mistake by negotiating with the 
Iranian regime.
  They made terrible mistakes time and again, how they pulled out of 
Afghanistan, welcomed a pipeline to Putin, and said in a press 
conference that if Putin just takes part of Ukraine, it wouldn't be so 
bad.
  And now Iran sends weapons--missiles--at Americans, and not one word 
is said but a negotiation continues using Russia as our negotiator. 
This Biden administration has made a dangerous mistake.
  Furthermore, President Biden has compounded his mistake by relying on 
Russia to negotiate on our behalf and reportedly has given them written 
guarantees that the deal would protect their trade with Tehran.
  Think about that: We are making major concessions on Russian trade 
with Iran at the very moment we are sanctioning Russia for mercilessly 
killing Ukrainians. That is outrageous and just plain stupid.
  Has President Biden learned nothing?
  Our objective is to isolate Putin, not empower him. The Russians 
should not be responsible for anything--especially not a major deal--
and should never speak on behalf of Americans.
  Madam Speaker, I urge President Biden to make the right choice: Walk 
away. Because knowing when to walk away from the negotiating table is 
just as important as knowing when to sit down.

  It is also very important to know when to stand up. If a terrorist 
country sends weapons and missiles to attack Americans and you stay 
silent, that is the wrong answer, the wrong response, and leads to a 
dangerous future.
  Stand up for America, stand up for freedom, stand up for what is 
right, and walk away from this agreement.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

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