Rep. Chu Votes to Approve Iran Nuclear Deal

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) voted to approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated between the U.S., Germany, Britain, France, Russia, and China and Iran to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs to their nuclear program. Before the vote, Rep. Chu spoke on the floor in support of the agreement. Her remarks are below:

“I rise today to support the Iran deal, the most important step that we could take to secure the future of this planet by stopping Iran’s nuclear program for 15 years.

“A nuclear Iran is an unacceptable danger. Iran’s support of terror and aggression throughout the world, it’s stated threats to Israel, and the nuclear arms race they would trigger are the reasons the world’s major powers came together to put crushing sanctions on Iran in the first place.

“Currently, Iran can produce enough material for a nuclear weapon in 2-3 months. Under this deal, Iran must take several unprecedented steps that would prevent them from having a nuclear weapon for 15 years. This deal goes further than any agreement in history by including inspections of Iran’s entire uranium enrichment supply chain for up to 25 years. Additionally, Iran will be subject to inspections under the Additional Protocol forever.

“It is those crushing economic sanctions that brought Iran to the table to finally accept the nuclear deal. What is critical to remember is that our terrorism sanctions still remain in place and, if a military strike is necessary, the U.S. will have the time and intelligence to intervene, but without the threat of a nuclear bomb for 15 years. In contrast, without this deal, sanctions will be lifted anyway, and we will be left with nothing but fear, uncertainty, and an unfettered Iran.

“Considering the anxiety of recent years, when the prospect of a military strike on Iran felt imminent, this deal is a welcome alternative. And, the risks of rejecting it are too great. For the sake of our security, the security of our allies and our position as a trustworthy global leader, I urge my colleagues to support the deal.”