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Congressman Stephen Fincher

Representing the 8th District of TENNESSEE

ICYMI: Fincher OpEd - Iran: A bad deal Is A Bad Deal

Sep 11, 2015
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                Contact: Logan Ramsey
Friday, September 11, 2015                                                            Phone: (202) 225-4714

Iran: A Bad Deal Is A Bad Deal
By Congressman Stephen Fincher (TN-08)
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Memphis Commercial Appeal

I am proud of the strong Jewish community that resides in Tennessee's Eighth Congressional District, and I share many of their concerns that the agreement reached between the Obama administration and the Islamic Republic of Iran endangers Americans and leaves Israel extremely vulnerable to the threat of a nuclear attack.

Striking a bad deal with a nation that continues to call for the destruction of Israel is not just a concern for our strongest ally in the Middle East, but it is a concern for all of us as Americans.

Israel has been a friend of the United States since its foundation. A more secure Israel will strengthen security across the Middle East and strengthen the security of our nation. As the only remaining democracy in the region, it is vital to U.S. foreign policy that we remain Israel's most staunch ally and supporter.

From the start of negotiations with Iran, President Obama and Secretary John Kerry's most important priority was to prevent Iran from ever obtaining nuclear capabilities. President Obama assured the American people he would walk away from a bad deal, stating there would be clear red lines and a refusal to lift sanctions unless Iran met standards to permanently dismantle the infrastructure of its nuclear program.

America and our allies in the region were counting on the President to keep his word.

Instead, President Obama left the table with an agreement that at best, simply delays Iran's nuclear weapon development. This is an unacceptable agreement that threatens the security of our nation for generations to come.

This deal guarantees that Iran will have access to more conventional weapons after a period five years, and guarantees their access to intercontinental missile technology after eight years. This particular missile technology would not be necessary for attacks on our allies in the Middle East, but instead, is uniquely fitted to reach the United States and parts of Europe.

By crossing every red line initially drawn, President Obama agreed to a deal that does not dismantle a single centrifuge, but does dismantle the sanctions against Iran, giving them over $100 billion in sanctions relief.

As the world's leading state sponsor of terror, it is deeply disturbing to know that Iran will soon have a mass influx of cash to continue their backing of Shi'a Islamist and anti-Semitic militant groups. Iran and its proxies, like Hamas and Hezbollah, have one intention: to spread more terror in the Middle East, and it is incomprehensible that President Obama would hand them the tools to do so.

Based on their continued support for terrorism, it is extremely dangerous to arrange an agreement with Iran that is exclusively built on hope. As many have said, hope is a great emotion, but it has no business in formulating foreign policy.

I do not have good faith in the Iranian government to hold up their end of the deal, especially after Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, known to lead Iranian crowds in ‘death to America' chants, vowed that his policy against the United States would not change.

It is deeply concerning that President Obama thinks working for the interests of the United States means lifting sanctions on a nation that celebrates the killing of Americans.

Under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, Congress has had the opportunity to vigorously review this deal and determine whether or not it leaves our country and our allies safer and will prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons program.

In the coming days, both the House of Representatives and Senate will consider a resolution to disapprove of the Administration's Iran deal. I truly believe, along with many of my colleagues in Congress and constituents in West Tennessee, that continued negotiations sound far more diplomatic than emboldening a nation that actively sponsors terrorism.

The right deal will bring stability to the Middle East, ensure security for America and our allies and do everything possible to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, R-Frog Jump, Tennessee's 8th Congressional District.

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