[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H7788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRANSPARENCY IS NONNEGOTIABLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, the American people are rightfully concerned 
about the ambiguity of the Biden Administration's ongoing negotiations 
with Iran.
  Are these negotiations being conducted in good faith? What 
concessions are being made? How would this deal impact America's 
standing within the international community and our ally, Israel?
  These are precisely the questions that are being asked, and yet, the 
only response coming from the administration is the sound of crickets 
chirping. The same can be said for Congress.
  The Biden administration has already expressed its intent to keep 
Congress in the dark about this potential nuclear deal. And according 
to new reporting, the Biden administration is trying to hide the facts 
on their ongoing negotiations with Iran until after the midterm 
elections to avoid scrutiny.
  Here is the thing, Madam Speaker, the administration is already 
required to submit information to Congress pursuant to the Iran Nuclear 
Agreement Review Act or INARA.
  INARA requires that the administration keep Congress fully and 
currently informed of any new or amended agreement with Iran. Those 
words couldn't be any clearer.
  In 2015, many Members on the opposite side of the aisle voted for 
INARA, and yet, we have heard nothing but crickets from them about 
holding this administration accountable.
  If INARA had not passed 7 years ago, Congress could have found itself 
completely blind to former President Obama's deal with Iran at the 
time.
  Madam Speaker, 400 Members of the House, along with 98 senators voted 
to force President Obama to submit his deal to Congress for 
Congressional review. Given the profound silence as of late on these 
ongoing negotiations, are we to believe that good governance and 
effective oversight are no longer tenets of this body?
  Madam Speaker, we cannot let accountability and transparency become 
relics of a bygone era. That is why I have introduced H. Res. 1266 
alongside my colleague from South Carolina, Representative   Joe 
Wilson.
  This resolution of inquiry requests that President Biden turn over to 
the House copies of documents, memos, and other communications related 
to any initiative or negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program.
  It could also expose any side agreements--such as the episode of the 
Obama administration leaving cash on a tarmac in 2016--that are offered 
as part of negotiations with Iran.
  Today, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs will be marking up my 
legislation, and the American people will find out who still supports 
increased transparency and oversight and who does not.
  Congress must do its job and exercise its explicit oversight 
authorities to hold this administration accountable. If this body 
upheld its commitment to good governance and effective oversight 7 
years ago, we should certainly do the same now. There is no excuse not 
to.
  Congress should not be sitting back and kicking its feet up while 
there is work to be done.

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