Federal lawmakers representing Pennsylvania voiced their opinions following President Donald Trump’s decision Tuesday to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran Nuclear Deal.
U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), of Butler, says he supports the president’s decision.
In a statement released Tuesday, Kelly called the Iran deal “disastrous” and “flawed since its creation.” He said the deal was negotiated in desperation and enacted without receiving the consent of Congress.
“I applaud President Trump for keeping his promise to the American people by withdrawing our country from President Obama’s disastrous deal with Iran. Since its flawed creation I have proudly sided with most Americans and leaders in both parties in strongly opposing such a feckless agreement with what is still the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism. The deal was negotiated in desperation and shamefully enacted without ever receiving the consent of Congress. Over the past three years it has only enriched and emboldened the regime in Iran while undermining the long-term security of our citizens and our allies. The president is exactly right to condemn it as ‘a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.’ I am both proud and relieved to see our nation reassert the time-tested principle of ‘peace through strength’ when it comes to leading on the world stage and permanently preventing a nuclear Iran. Going forward I am confident that this administration will continue to confront the Iranian threat in a responsible manner that matches words with actions and puts America’s safety first.”
On the other side, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) said he strongly disagreed with the President’s decision. He said U.S. military officials have repeatedly said Iran is complying with the agreement and it’s in our best national security interest to keep it in place.
“I strongly disagree with the President’s decision to end U.S. participation in an agreement that constrains Iran’s nuclear program and helps prevent the regime from obtaining a nuclear weapons capability. U.S. military officials, past and present, have said that Iran is complying with the nuclear agreement and that it is in the best national security interest of our nation to keep it in place. This Administration’s national security leadership has repeatedly confirmed this. On October 3, 2017, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke about the agreement and said, “I believe at this point in time, absent indications to the contrary, it is something the President should consider staying with.” In testimony before Congress in April 2018, Secretary Mattis specifically referred to the intrusive nature of our ability to examine Iran’s nuclear capabilities.”
The Iran Deal was created under President Obama between the U.S., Iran and five other countries. It lifted heavy economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for it curbing its nuclear weapons program. President Trump said it doesn’t go far enough to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon, so he pulled the U.S. out.
