Diplomacy

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Manchin Becomes 58th Senator To Oppose Iran Nuclear Deal

by TheTower.org Staff |

Sen. Joe Manchin (D -W.Va.) announced his opposition to the nuclear deal with Iran today, becoming the 58th senator and fourth Democrat to do so. West Virginia Public Broadcasting reported:

“Whenever I am able, I will choose diplomacy over war because the stakes are so high for West Virginia, which has one of the highest rates of military service in the nation. But as I struggled with this decision, I could not ignore the fact that Iran, the country that will benefit most from sanctions being lifted, refuses to change its 36-year history of sponsoring terrorism,” Manchin said.

Manchin went on to say the deal had to be about more than preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon for the next 10-15 years. It had to address Iran’s terrorist actions. He says without addressing those issues it would be rewarding Iran for 36 years of “deplorable behavior.”

“The continued actions by Iran and its recent activities with Russia have proven to me that when we catch Iran violating the agreement, and I believe we will, I have grave doubts that we will have unified, committed partners willing to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Manchin said.

While Manchin acknowledged that the deal would place limits on Iran’s nuclear program, he expressed concerns that after 15 years, Iran would be able to produce sufficient enriched uranium in a very short period of time. In an interview with NPR in April, President Barack Obama acknowledged that Iran could have a breakout time of “near zero” at the end of 15 years, when many of the deal’s limitations expired.

58 senators have announced their opposition to the deal, with 41 in favor. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), both of whom support the deal, have indicated that they want a vote on the deal rather than a filibuster. Coons told CNN last week, “I think it would be really regrettable if we didn’t ultimately go to the floor and cast our votes for or against this deal.” Heitkamp, in her announcement of support for the deal, wrote, “I helped introduce legislation — which Congress passed — to make sure Congress votes on this deal.”

Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) are the other Democrats to come out against the deal.

[Photo: SenatorJoeManchin / YouTube ]

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