Transcripts For CSPAN Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20240622

The sanctions even arms embargoes and even missile sanctions as stipulated by the resolution, they will all be lifted. And all the financial and banking sanctions related to insurance, transportation, and sanctions related to refineries and valuable minerals, Precious Metals and all the economic sanctions will be fully lifted. They will be lifted. Not suspended. And even the arms embargo will be eliminated and there will be a sort of limitation for five years, and it will be lifted and speaking of commodities or dual use commodities or goods, there will be a committee that will be looked into by the committee and in this way regarding the u. N. s resolution, they said that how can we annul a resolution that has not been implemented . They told us to implement the resolutions for six months and in this way the resolutions will be annulled. Based on todays deal in the upcoming days when the deal has been endorsed by u. N. S. C. , all the previous six resolutions will be annulled. And also regarding the Nuclear Dossier of iran, in order to take it out of the unsc, they said that the iaea should present a report that will include a 20year period 15year period, but today without regard considering report by the iaea, after the implementation of the deal, that will be taken out of the unsc after 10 years. We may be asked whether this deal is based upon confidence and trust, and if it was the case, then we would there was no need for 23 months of negotiations and we had 18 nights of continuous negotiations. Speaking of trust, the implementation of this deal will be the starting point for a test. If the deal precisely implemented every step of the implementation of this deal can gradually eliminate mistrust and its quite clear that based on we are going to start to proceed by closely monitoring the implementation of the deal and of course countries that have a very bad record. Some of these countries have a very bad record concerning iran. And some do not have a good record concerning iran. Of course this is a mutual deal, reciprocal deal. We have already examined such deals that was actually of interim agreement reached in geneva, and regarding the final deal, today implementation of the deal is reciprocal. If they abide adhere to this deal we will also comply with it. The iranian nation has always shown that, always fulfilled its promise. In the course of history and we will fulfill our promise provided that the other party would also fulfill its promises. Of course several stages and steps with respect to the deal today was actually the first stage. That means only seven countries have agreed. And they have actually agreed with full text and the annexes of the deal. Speaking of the implementation in the days to come, the text of the deal and also the text that has been prepared for the unsc has to be endorsed by the u. N. Security council, based on not chapter 7 and in case annulment of previous resolutions based on article 41. Later, there are stages in other countries and stages to continue and after determination of these stages on a day, that is the day known as the day of agreement, in fact the day was the day of joint statement, several days later when the u. N. Or the unsc endorses the statement that will be the day of finalizing the agreement after approximately two months we will reach that day of agreement and the day of agreement is a day when e. U. And the u. S. Will openly and now and declare the lifting of all sanctions and then will announce the decisions. From that day irans measures will begin and these measures will be accompanied with their executive actions for the lifting of the sanctions. Thats going to take up some time. That may also take two months. That will be the day of the implementation of the deal. So several months from now we will have the day for the full implementation of the deal. We have these stages before us and of course this is the most important day in the past 12 years. Today is a day that historically speaking major world countries and powers have recognized Irans Nuclear program. Todays the day that after 12 years the world powers have announced that regarding Nuclear Technology and modern technology they will help iran. Todays the day that world powers have announced that all sanctions will be lifted and all tyrannical resolutions will be annulled and a normal situation will prevail in relations with iran. Today is an end, today marks an end to acts of tyranny and operation against the great nation of iran. At the same time its the starting point for a new trend in order to commend Nuclear Operation at a global level. Speaking of the tehran, terman and other cities they are witnessing that the chains of sanctions have been torn apart and they are happy for this. And the people of gaza and the west bank and the people of lebanon, they are also happy because made futile efforts made futile efforts in the past 23 months. All these futile efforts have been crushed and defeated and the originations are also pleased because many baseless pretext for act of tyranny against the region claiming that iran is after manufacturing a Nuclear Weapon. A nuclear bomb. They will all be pretext will come to an end if some of the countries want to announce that we prevented iran from acquiring a Nuclear Weapon. The whole world knows very well that manufacturing of a nuclear bomb based on a fatwa by the leader is considered forbidden by religion and also a wrong action. Iran has never sought to manufacture a Nuclear Weapon and will never seek manufacturing of a Nuclear Weapon. In case of an agreement or absence of an agreement. So if they want to speak of any achievement, they should speak of a real achievement. The real achievement is that a new atmosphere has been created in the region for the sake of cooperation at the regional and global levels. I deem it necessary to send all those people who have played a role in order to attain this Historic Deal i wish to appreciate the great nation of iran for its steadfastness and resistance in the past 12 years in the face of pressure and which wish to thank the leader of the Islamic Revolution who guided us during hardships and he guided the nation and the administration through his prudence and provides us guidelines and he also shouldered a heavy burden. I also wish to thank the parliament, the speaker of the parliament, the judiciary, the judiciary chief, the armed forces, and support the nation and the government antiestablishment, the assembly of experts, the seminaries, the emulation, academicians, young people, women, and all the people from different walks of life, i wish to appreciate them of and their smiles always giving us hope and their decisions have always empowered us. We declare this that in case of criticism, everyone is free to criticize, but i will not allow anyone to destroy peoples hope peoples hope for economic prosperity. Peoples hope for peace and security. I will not peace and security in the region of the world. I will not allow anyone to destroy such a hope through lying, belying or leveling allegations. I will not allow anyone to harm peoples trust. Today is not the end day actually. Today is the day of day that marks the starting point. The starting point for a new move, a new dynamism and exuberance. Starting day for a new hope of Better Future for our young people. And starting point for a more rapid move for the country for our great country of iran with development and progress. And in conclusion, i wish to address the regional and neighboring countries do not be deceived by the propaganda of the zionist regime and the ill wishers of this nation. The iran and irans power is your power and might. We consider Regional Security as our own security. We consider stability of Regional State our own stability. We consider science, knowledge and our development, these are scientific progress, these are all to the benefit of neighboring and Regional States. Iran has not been after wmds and is not after wmds. Will not be after wmds. Iran has not been and is not after and will not be after putting pressure on Regional States. The country speaking of our we see a new chapter has been opened in our relations with you. We call for greater cordiality greater brotherhood, more unity. And further expansion of relations. Thank you very much. The great nation of iran, we look forward to your further progress and dynamism and we will tread this path successfully to attend with your help. Now, we will get reactions from capitol hill. To the Nuclear Agreement with iran, we will hear from republican senators and Bernie Sanders. Senator mcconnell good afternoon, everyone. Obviously the big news of the day is the proposed agreement with the iranians. Ive asked chairman corker and chairman mccain to join us today to give you their take on what this agreement appears to involve. Senator corker thank you. Today at about 10 05, we received 159 pages of a portion of the agreement. There are other portions that are yet to come. We still have the classified annexes, we have the certifications from the director of National Intelligence and secretary of state. So we expect to receive those materials over the next several days and at that point in time the 60day review process will begin. I have to say that when we passed over with the interim agreement from dismantling their program, to moving towards agreeing that there would be enrichment, then over time moving to what i would call managed proliferation, we really crossed the rubicon and i think numbers of people have been looking at the qualitative issues what have remains. The issues of previous military dimensions and making sure we fully understand how thats dealt with. The issue of any time, anywhere inspections and how thats dealt with. The issue of Ballistic Missiles and how thats dealt with. The issue of research and development and how that is dealt with and the entire issue of sanctions relief. I will say that right now, based on our staff going through the agreement for a couple of hours and meeting with me prior to this, i would say the agreement has taken a downward trend, a downward trend. The arms embargo issue, the conventional arms are going to be embargo will be lifted in five years. Missile defense, Missile Development in eight years. Were going to have shoot of the to have the issue of anytime, anywhere is not anytime, anywhere. And so theres numbers of issues that are going to be of great concern. But heres what were going to do. Over the next 60 days, were going to go through this in great detail, were going to have a thoughtful and deliberate process. My guess is, based on timing well have hearings that will be in the next two or three weeks and likely what well do is vote on this when we return from recess. Im very skeptical, but i dont i want to go through this process and make sure we fully understand what it is that were voting on. My guess is, ill close with this, those who believe that this truly is going to keep iran from getting a Nuclear Weapon will vote for it. Those who believe that that is not the case, and the world is not going to be safer, and in some ways it may paving the way for them to get a Nuclear Weapon, will vote against it. Thats our responsibility and i look forward to carrying out those responsibilities with other members of the senate and house. Senator mccain we intend to review the provisions of this agreement thoroughly, the Armed Services committee will hold hearings on it, especially the verification regime and the effect on the Regional Military balance. We know that this agreement went from the initial objective of iran never having a Nuclear Weapon to a period of time where iran will be able to behave with impunity and without restraint. There is no addressing in this agreement that weve seen that addresses irans role as a chief sponsor of terror throughout the region, there is no addressing of their continued aggression and basically controlling four countries. Iraq, syria, iran and lebanon. I recently came back from afghanistan and learned that the iranians are now providing weapons to the taliban. Theres no provisions for the terrorist activities of iran the chief sponsor of terrorism in the region. Apparently, there are sanctions lifted on various institutions that have been involved in the arms business and in particular theres allegations that the sanctions are lifted against the head of the Iranian Revolutionary guard, who was responsible for the deaths according to general dunford before the Armed Services committee, the coppertipped i. D. S were sent into iraq by him, that are responsible for the death of 500 marines and soldiers. This deal, as far as i can tell, has gone from preventing iran from ever having a Nuclear Weapon to now lifting restrictions on iran, including on conventional weapons within five years, which secretary kerry assured us there would be no connection between conventional weapons and Nuclear Weapons. I predicted that in their desperation, that the president and john kerry would make a bad deal. It looks very much like they made a worse deal than even we had feared. Questioner what would have been an acceptable deal in your mind . Senator mcconnell this appears to be, again, were going to take a look at it, as senator corker and mccain have said, it appears to fall well short of what the goal we all thought was trying to be achieved, which was that iran would not be a nuclear state. So describing the perfect deal i guess, would be a deal under which iran would not be able to acquire Nuclear Weapons. Questioner the white house says that any deal when youre negotiating with your enemies is not going to be perfect. Do they have a point . Senator mcconnell this is considerably short of perfection, apparently. We knew what was working. Sanctions. Imagine what we might have now if wed spent the last two years ratcheting up the sanctions as opposed to this. Questioner in the past few days, many of your colleagues, including some of the senators standing here have been putting public pressure on secretary clinton, saying she owns this deal, she should repudiate it, that would put pressure on democrats to vote with you on an override. That didnt happen today. She all but endorsed the deal. How does that complicate your efforts that are going to be coming up to override whats likely to be a president ial veto . Senator mcconnell the president is the most important democrat in the country and hes obviously in favor of this. He negotiated it. Hes going to work hard to get the 34 votes that i know he knows he needs in order to sustain it. So, it will be a real challenge for him because i think it falls short in a lot of ways. Questioner secretary clinton [inaudible] senator mcconnell im sure hes going to work hard to get his 34 votes. Questioner on the issue of budget reconciliation, how do you plan to use it . Do you plan to use it to repeal the Affordable Care act . And when will the authorizing committees report budget reconciliations . Senator mcconnell i dont have a time to give you but were certainly going to consider using budget reconciliation for repealing as much of obamacare as is reconcilable. There are certain rules that have to be applied to what is reconcilable. And thats an active consideration, as you can imagine. Questioner on the highway bill, how long do you intend to move the highway bill for and do you have, from senator hatch and others, the kind of offsets that you need . Senator mcconnell let me say theres bipartisan enthusiasm for a multiyear highway bill. Weve had some conversations inside our conference about a way to pay for that. And ive also had conversations with prominent democrats who are involved in this issue and we are hoping to be able to come together in some way to get a multiyear highway bill. Im fairly optimistic that we can do that. Thanks a lot. Senator Bernie Sanders let me be very brief. First of all, i applaud the president and secretary john kerry in a very crazy and dangerous world, they created an agreement with iran that prevents them from acquiring a Nuclear Weapon. This is a huge breakthrough. Obviously the devil is in the , details. We are going to study those details. But this is clearly a major step forward. Let me also welcome secretary clinton back to the United States senate, where she served for eight years. I very much look forward in this campaign to a serious debate about the very serious crises facing our country. I dont like negative campaigns, i have never run a negative advertisement in my life. I believe the American People are entitled to serious discussion about serious issues. Secretary clinton and i disagree on a number of issues. There are issues where we come from the same place. Some of the areas we disagree are on trade. I happen to believe the trade agreements that have been passed here over the last three decades, the chinese trade agreements, they have been disastrous for American Workers. And have led to the loss of millions of jobs. Secretary clinton, i believe, is has a very different view on that position. I strongly opposed the war in iraq. And if you go to the remarks i made as a member of the house, sadly and tragically, it took place. I voted against the socalled usa patriot act, because i feared very much that while we have to be vigorous and protect this country against terrorism, we could do it without undermining the Constitutional Rights or the privacy rights of the American People. I happen to agree very strongly with pope francis that Climate Change is a great planetary and Environmental Crisis we face. I have helped lead the opposition against the keystone pipeline. I do not believe we should be excavating or transporting some of the dirtiest fuel on this planet. I think that secretary clinton has not been clear on that issue. When i was a member of the house, i helped lead the effort in opposition to the deregulation of wall street. I happen to believe that wall street has far too much power, much too much concentration of ownership and welfare. I believe we should break up the major institutions of finance, and certainly go forward with restoring glasssteagall financial regulations. To the best of my knowledge those are ideas that secretary , clinton on agree with. I have been very specific in saying that we have millions of people in this country who are working for low wages, the 7. 25 wage here is a starvation we need to build infrastructure to create 30 million jobs, those are very specific ideas i have. The secretary has not been so clear on this issue. Lastly, i believe that if we are going to rebuild the american middle class, we need to make public colleges and universities free pay for it through a transaction tax on wall street. A position i think the secretary is unclear on. What do you think of the iran deal . Sen. Sanders clearly, in an unstable and dangerous world, i think this is a significant step forward. I congratulate the president and secretary kerry for their incredibly hard work on this. What is the relationship between the current laws of Campaign Finance and the opposition were hearing from many candidates . Senator sanders i think one would be naive not to understand that of all the issues i have talked about, that face the American People from Climate Change to health care to the iranian agreement this disastrous and corrupt campaignfinance system that we have impacts all of them. I specifically talk about Climate Change. I do not believe that my republican friends do not understand the science. I think theyre afraid to come out and take on the koch brothers, exxon mobil, and say maybe Climate Change is real. Maybe we have to do something. If they say that, the next day they will be challenged in primaries with huge amounts of money coming from the Big Energy Companies and from the koch brothers. How did it go today with your discussion with secretary clinton . Sen. Sanders i have known her for 25 years. I knew her as first lady. I like her, i respect her. I hope we can run a campaign where we can express the differences of opinion that we have. And we do it in a way that is straightforward, it is not necessary, i think, for people to dislike or attack each other because they are running for office. One more question. [indiscernible] sen. Sanders thank you all. Sen. Reid with a few weeks left in this work period, we are seeing nothing more than the governing by crisis by our republican friends. The nations highway system will run out of money in a few weeks and we have a outline of a plan that none of us have seen. There has been little talk about it. The sham appropriations process is going on at the same time. The appropriations process is broken and that is an understatement. Why . With all the terrible stuff they did dealing with the interior, epa, the National Park system and on and on, that was not bad enough. They had to bring up the Confederate Flag issue. Of course, that was the downfall of the provision process as of now. They were afraid to vote on that. They were afraid to denounce the Confederate Flag so we keep going on and on with this government by crisis. Now, we need to have an issue resolved soon. We need to have a budget. Republicans are saying this. You dont have to accept what i have said. We have the chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the house. We have three or four subcommittee chairs, republicans of course, who are saying why dont we sit down and negotiate . But, there has been nothing, zero, nothing. I assume they are going back and reading their old talking points on closing the government again. Remind everyone, they closed the government before and it went on for weeks. When the final vote came, two thirds of the House Republicans voted to keep the goverment closed. How about that . So, they should not look at their talking points. Sequestration is not working now. We should sit down and negotiate. As the chairman of the Appropriations Committee said in the house, we need to sit down and work through this. We cannot do it at the last minute. Senator durbin. Sen. Durbin 33 times the republicans have asked us for shortterm extensions on the Highway Trust Fund. As senator boxer said in a press conference last week, would you take out a mortgage on a home if it were only a sixmonth mortgage . That is all they are offering. Six months of Highway Trust Fund. You cannot build america or our highways or the thousands of jobs that come with a good Highway Trust Fund package that is multiyear. Yet, they failed time and again to even offer alternatives. It is like the minority leader said, they hint they have something in the works, but we have heard that song before. Let me add as well the xm bank is officially closed down. The authorization was not extended. That needs to be addressed. If we come back here in september after the august recess you know what september is like. We only have a few days of session during that month and then we face the end of the fiscal year. The possibility that we are into a cr because of the failure of Republican Leadership in the house and senate to be willing to sit down with the democrats and the president to work out our nations budget challenges. I dont understand how senator mcconnell, house leader boehner, can govern from crisis to crisis and feel they can lead this nation forward. It is time for decisive leadership. It is time for us to have a Highway Trust Fund, an xm bank and a budget plan that works for america. What do you think of the iran deal . The start of another week still republicans are no closer to resolving the two big crises that loom around the corner. Were less than three short months from a republican showdown over the budget. Just over three short weeks away from a republican highway shutdown at the height of the summer construction season. Hardright republicans are trying to take us down twin paths to disaster, but we all know it does not have to be that way. On government funding, Republican Leaders should heed the wise call from their members to begin negotiations immediately with democrats to relieve the devastating cuts. We have heard cries from House Democrats, House Republicans Senate Democrats where is leader mcconnell . On government funding, on every moment between now and the end of september that republicans do not spend time at the table with democrats is a moment wasted. Thus far, they have also twiddled their thumbs on an even more urgent deadline preventing a shutdown of the transportation projects across the country. Just today, the department of transportation warned states that the spigot of funding that helps repair aging roads and bridges, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, is about to be turned off. And, whats the Republican Senate plan to prevent a shutdown . We have laid out what we are interested in longterm increase in funding. So far, they have shown us nothing. It is time for the Republican Leaders to abandon this culture of crisis that threatens to throw the economy into disarray in the coming weeks and months. Sen. Murray another week has passed and Republican Leaders are still refusing to sit down and negotiate the bipartisan deal that we all know we need to make to make sure our government is working for middleclass families. We are now just weeks away from a highway shutdown and we are less than three months away from a completely unnecessary budget crisis. Still, we find Republican Leaders standing in their partisan corner refusing to join us at the table. We all know what needs to happen and theres simply no reason to delay. In a divided government, there is going to have to be bipartisan negotiations and there is going to have to be bipartisan deals. No one can say it is my way or the highway and no one can dictate a path and refuse to negotiate or compromise. That is the lesson republicans should have learned in 2013 when they took us to the brink of a Government Shutdown and then allowed their tea party to push them over the brink and the country over the edge. They hurt our families, our economy and they caved to the pressure and came to the table and we were able to reach a bipartisan deal. That is what we need to do again. We did it before. We need to do it now. Democrats are at the table. We are ready and we are waiting. What do you think of the iran deal . Sen. Reid the document is 100 pages long. My staff has not read it. I have not read it. I talked to the president last night. Lets find out what we have first. I dont know what is in the agreement. I have a broad outline of the agreement. I want to find out what is going to transpire from the hearings republicans say they will hold and we will have briefings from the white house that will be extensive in nature. We will see. Based on what you know now, are you concerned that there are 67 senators against the deal . Sen. Reid i think it would be illogical for me to say yes or no. I will wait to see what is in the agreement. Republicans are so vocal in their opposition to this deal. Does this give you pause . Does this make you think that perhaps the administration could have done better . Sen. Reid it gives me pause. They should look and read the agreement first. I cannot imagine i have not read the agreement. There has been very little leak about what is in the agreement and i think it is unfair for them to start charging out determining now how they will vote. First of all, we dont know what the votes will be. It gives me pause to think we cannot legislate this way. We should legislate with the knowledge of what we will be voting on or against. You had lunch this afternoon with secretary clinton. Sen. Reid she got there late. She did not get lunch. Can you talk about a little what you talked about and would you invite any other democratic president ial candidates to lunch . Sen. Reid senator sanders i have invited him. He will make a presentation to us in the next few weeks. Secretary clinton was articulate. The caucus felt very warmly. She got several rounds of standing applause. She talked about issues. She talked about Climate Change. She talked about what families need in america today. She talked about how important it was that we do make sure we understand that america is more than the urban centers of our country. She talked ive only touched a few of the issues. Her answers were concise, but complete. As i always am, i was extremely impressed hearing her talk. Did secretary clinton address the iran agreement at all . Sen. Reid yes, she did. Can you share what she said . Sen. Reid she basically said that she worked on this herself a lot and she said what i just said to everyone here. Just lets find out for sure what is in the agreement. Do you endorse the former secretary . Sen. Reid im somewhat modest not on everything i think that my endorsement does not mean a lot now. Hopefully, it will mean a little bit later. I have chosen not to endorse her right now. That is the way it is. Everyone knows what a fan i am of her and her husband. Im sure at the right time i will make the right decision. I can hear you but i cannot see you. Behind you. Can you support the shortterm highway bill that goes into the end of the year . Sen. Reid i agree with senator durbin. I think the shortterm stuff we have been doing that is the republican mantra never solve a problem if you can stall the problem and that is what they have been doing. I dont know what the house is going to do. Im told they will pass a shortterm bill probably as early as tomorrow. I will see what is in it. We know that senator mcconnell is talking about this vague document he is talking about. I think we feel over here, democrats, until we know definitely what he is talking about with a longterm deal, we will not sign on to that. We do know that one of his proposals takes into consideration a tremendous whack at federal employees. Federal employees have been whacked enough. That can be part of no longterm, shortterm, mediumterm agreement on highways or anything else. I will see what else he has. I have been given the understanding of what he is trying to do on pensions and i will not accept that at all. Im confident my caucus will not. We would just wait and see what he comes up with. Until he comes up with something, we will not rush in and sign up with anything. Leader mcconnell im sorry. They look alike. Has he talked about the xm bank being related or separate to the highway bill . Sen. Reid he made no commitment to me. Nope. Thank you, everybody. Now we will get reaction from house gop leaders from the deal and they also talk about a republican water measure of this 10 minute briefing. Speaker boehner at the outset of the iran negotiations, the Obama Administration said that a good deal would affirm that iran does not have the right to enrich. They also said that keeping sanctions in place until iran met concrete verifiable standards. And they believed that they had to stop irans drive for a nuclear bomb. The president has abandoned all of those goals and thats why the deal that we have out there, in my view, from what i know thus far, is unacceptable. Its going to hand a dangerous regime billions of dollars in sanctions relief while paving the way for a nuclear iran. This isnt about democrats or republicans. Its not a partisan issue at all. Its about right versus wrong. And were going to do everything we can to get to the details and if in fact its as bad a deal as i think it is at this moment well do everything we can to stop it. Mr. Mccarthy the president announced this morning an agreement with Nuclear Weapons with iran. History has always proven peace without freedom is meaningless. Congress will have a role. Well look at every detail. Well look at the future. Well look at the criteria. And we will have a say. Theres another bill that will be on the floor this week, it brings a great interest to many throughout the country. It deals with the water issue through the west. I want to congratulate David Valadao. One thing you have to look at, if youre from california, the challenge that we have. The challenge does not have to be as great as it is. The last two congresses, with republicans in control, we passed the bill that would give us greater reserves to be able to deal with the drought. Unfortunately the senate never took it up. The president felt this issue was so great that he took air force one and he flew to california. He walked the arid land, the dry land, with the farmers and he said he would do something about it. But nothing has been done. Now is their moment, that they can come to an agreement dealing with an issue that affects all. In california, this bill is very simple. It does four things. Allows water to flow through the delta, provides greater storage from those that we have promised for years in the past, that have just stayed in a stalemate. Increased the reservoirs that we have today. For the last 30 years, you have built no new ones but the population has continued to grow in california. Protect the water rights and the state project. Its simple, its commonsense and David Valadao has led the charge to make a real difference. Mr. Scalise its clear that the administration wanted to deal with iran at any cost and unfortunately they got a deal with iran at a dangerously high cost. I think history will look back if this is able to go forward, on this bad deal as the sanctions beginning of irans paths to a Nuclear Weapon. And thats dangerous not only for america, but for all of our allies throughout the middle east, especially israel. We will fight hard to reject this deal using every tool we have. Mrs. Mcmorris rodgers we are a little over six months into americas new congress and on issue after issue, what you have seen is we are promoting solutions, 21st Century Solutions to the challenges that americans face all across the country. We trust people to make better decisions for themselves than the federal government ever will and our goal is to empower people, empower families empower communities to be able to make those best decisions. Just look at the Student Success act. Which is about empowering local leaders, parents, teachers and students. Last week we passed by big bipartisan support the 21st century cures act which is giving hope to millions of americans for lifesaving innovation. We passed the resilient federal forest act which is a bipartisan, collaborative approach to ensuring better management of our forests in reducing the likelihood of catastrophic fire. We passed the u. S. Freedom act which ended bulk collection of americas phone data. And weve made veterans a priority. Unanimously passing the clay hunt Suicide Prevention act and the hire more heroes act. Im proud of the work that weve done over the First Six Months and confident that we will continue to do more work to improve peoples lives in Eastern Washington and all across this country. Ms. Jenkins over the past six months the house has stripped away needless regulations, passed a budget that achieves balance, passed new tools to fight human trafficking, reformed s. G. R. So our doctors can continue to afford to provide services to medicare patients, pushed for jobcreating policies like the keystone x. L. Pipeline, and protected College Savings plans for hardworking families trying to ensure a better life for their kids. And this week the house will advance more regulations to help our veterans with the veterans entrepreneurship act so that our veterans have the support they deserve to start their own business and succeed. Its amazing what we can do in congress when we put the priorities of the American People first, not the priorities of bureaucrats in washington. This is just a start. House republicans will continue our work to pass solutions that bring increased prosperity promote achievement and build the opportunity economy the American People deserve. Mr. Valadao so this week my bill comes up. This bill is something thats very personal to me because im a farm. I grew up in the central valley. Decided to run for congress. But my background is still agriculture, i still farm to this day. And watching all my friends and neighbors, the People Living in my community, suffer because of the regulations that are passed by this building, were trying to change that. Weve got a new piece of legislation that really makes a difference but to the folks who live in the valley, when you look around to all the folks who have now lost their jobs, i mean, weve got People Living in shacks alongside of the road and its gotten to that point where were trucking water to some of these homes. Its a real dire situation. And for most people around the nation, they think this doesnt affect them, youve got to remember that we grow food. We grow food for everybody around the nation. This is having a real impact. I know every mother, every father out there, when theyre budgeting what money they have to spend, they look at what they spend on groceries and this has had a real impact. Food prices have risen. This has a direct effect on that side of it. This is a bill that affects the nation as a whole. Its very important that we get this legislation passed, very important that the senate takes it up and its very important that the president signs this. Because theres water that we did have this year. We are in a drought and the excuse of being in a drought does not work anymore. We had opportunities this past winter, even in a dry year where there was water that was going through the delta and we had an opportunity to pump some of that water and actually help alleviate the situation we have in the valley and that wasnt taken up because of bad policy that we can fix in this house this week. So thank you. Questioner [inaudible] do you intend to pressure democrats [inaudible] Speaker Boehner once the agreement is submitted formally, congress will have 60 days to review it and then to pass judgment on it. We havent made any decisions in terms of how we will proceed or when we will proceed. But i think its pretty clear it should be clear that we do intend to act. Questioner [inaudible] Speaker Boehner there will be a lot of time for people to look at the details of this agreement and come to a decision. Questioner \[inaudible] it sounds like youve already rejected it. Speaker boehner based on what i know now it doesnt look like a very good deal. I want to review all the facts. But based on what i know, im highly skeptical at best. Questioner [inaudible] what is the prognosis for mr. Valadao in the last few congresses weve passed legislation but this past election cycle things have changed. We have new leadership there and i do believe theres a real opportunity to get it done. The bills going to pass the way it passes in its current form off the house floor. What happens in the senate is still up in the air. We do believe we have some support over there. Questioner [inaudible] Speaker Boehner i wonder if she brought her emails with her. Questioner [inaudible] Speaker Boehner there were an awful lot of ifs and ands and buts there so i think ill pass on that. Welcome to the capitol. If Hillary Clinton wants the Benghazi Committee to finish their work, she could help them by turning over all of her emails sooner rather than later. Questioner last week [inaudible] Speaker Boehner we had a very good meeting with the chairman last week and frankly the week before. Theres a lot of issues that a lot of moving parts around here. I think he understands that it may not have been his preference, but its clearly the congress preference in terms of how we proceed. Spending was offset by other reductions in mandatory spending and we have a Good Relationship but we keep working on it. Questioner did obama or anyone from the administration tell you [inaudible] Speaker Boehner the president called me last night and told me i should expect an agreement in his words, was imminent. I said i was skeptical. Thank you. Now reaction from Hillary Clinton to the iran deal. She met with House Democrats on capitol hill and was introduced by house leader nancy pelosi. Ms. Pelosi good morning, everyone. Today as you can imagine a very special occasion for the House Democratic caucus. We were pleased to welcome to the full extent of that word secretary Hillary Clinton, to our caucus for discussion of how we go forward. Good deal of time in the caucus was spent on the economy, the creation of jobs entrepreneurship, and all that goes into making that a success for our country. The second pleased the members with her discussion about fairness and growth. Growth and fairness, how they are connected. Always with our caucus, was very members are knowledgeable about their issues and relationship between investing in our children and their education and the success of our economy. The success of women when women succeed america succeeds. Very important. It wont surprise you to know that the subject of iran also came up during the discussion as part of it. But overwhelmingly our discussion was about the economy. So again in gratitude and most welcoming spirit, it is my honor to present to you the secretary of former secretary of state, candidate for president of the United States, and many of you heard me say over and over again, when she enters the oval office, shell be one of the most prepared people to do so in recent history. With that i present Hillary Clinton. Thank you. Secretary clinton i want to thank leader pelosi and the entire caucus for welcoming you me so warmly and having such a positive, robust discussion about the issues that people around the country are talking to me about and in particular giving me a chance to talk further about the economic speech with the agenda that i laid out yesterday for strong growth, for fair growth, and for longterm growth. As the leader said iran did obviously come up. This is a very important moment. The president called me late last night to tell me that agreement had been reached. I applaud him and both secretary kerry and secretary moniz for their extraordinary efforts in bringing about this conclusion. Based on what i know now, and i will be being briefed as soon as i finish addressing you, this is an important step in putting the lid on Irans Nuclear program. There will be a number of issues that have to be addressed. I want to just mention two. The first is enforcement. This agreement will have to be enforced vigorously, relentlessly. We have in the agreement the access for inspections and the transparency that was absolutely necessary. But we have to treat this as an ongoing Enforcement Effort which i certainly strongly support, and as president would be absolutely devoted to ensuring that the agreement is followed. And secondly, this does put a lid on the Nuclear Program, but we still have a lot of concern about the bad behavior and the actions by iran which remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism, which does go after and undermine governments in the region that poses an existential threat to israel, that tries americans on trumped up charges, that bad behavior is something we have to address. Having been part of building the coalition that brought us to the point of this agreement, i think we will have to immediately upon completion of this agreement and its rigorous enforcement look to see how we build a coalition to try to prevent and undermine irans bad behaviors in other arenas. I will be talking as soon as i leave here you with other secretaries of state and other National Security advisors to get more details. But as i say, i think this is an important step that puts the lid on Irans Nuclear program. And it will enable us, then, to turn our attention, as it must to doing what we can with other partners in the region and beyond to try to prevent and contain irans other bad actions. All in all i think we have to look at this seriously. Evaluate it carefully. But i believe based on what i know now this is an important step. Thank you all very much. Do you support the deal . Does it embolden iran . We will get to those things. The chairman of the democratic caucus, joined by the vicechairman joe crowley and ben. You just heard leader nancy pelosi and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and candidate for president , speak to you about the meeting we just concluded with secretary clinton to discuss a number of things. I thought it was a powerful meeting. She made a very strong case on how america still has a chance to be that beacon of hope and to lead the world. She said a phrase in describing a story way back when she decided to run for the senate in new york where she was talking about daring to compete. And, this was at a title ix conference where she was daring young women and girls to compete. She mentioned as she had been introduced by this young woman athlete, a woman whispered into her ear dare to compete. It is at that point where she made the decision to run for the u. S. Senate for the state of new york. I think many of the members in this caucus would have said to her today we are thankful you are daring to compete. It is a good sign that someone has experienced as Hillary Clinton in the affairs of government on the issues that effect the entire world and certainly someone that could speak as a former secretary of state, former senator, but as a mother, first lady, grandmother is someone as is wellrounded as weve ever seen to run to become the next president of the United States. We were fortunate to have her come visit. We would invite any of the candidates for elected office to the presidency to come visit. We are hoping to 11 opportunity to move forward to have an opportunity to move forward in agenda from now until the lever 2016 that lets until november 2016 that dares us to compete. We talked about the iranian agreement. We talked about the need to compete economically here at home and to create good paying jobs. I love that she said you cannot have Growth Without fairness and you cannot have fairness without growth. I believe Hillary Clinton has made it very clear that when it comes to america competing it will be based on Economic Growth and economic fairness. With that, let me yield to the vice chair drug joe crowley. Joemr. Crowley i think you meant to say we invite every democratic candidate. No, every candidate. Mr. Crowley let me thank the former first lady, former senator of my home state of new york and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton for joining us. I think the way in which she handled every question there were dozens and dozens of questions and statements it was remarkable. We just want to express our thanks for that as well as her insight in the iranian deal and her perch as former secretary of state. Just sharing with us those thoughts as well as we and the Congress Moves to deliberate on what the white house and secretary kerry have achieved in this agreement. The details are important to me personally as i know it is to every member of congress. I take this opportunity now to look into this agreement in more detail before rendering a decision. I come with this at a great mistrust for the iranian government. As the secretary said, the existential threat it poses to our friends in the region and europe and the United States as well. Certainly hoping the agreement is something i can support. If it puts out of reach the ability of the uraniumiranian people to create Nuclear Weapons. With that, let me turn it over to the chair of the Democratic Campaign committee ben. Thank you. As you heard today, we had a great conversation with secretary clinton. The caucus welcomed her. It was great to see the backandforth going on as well. I think it is clear secretary clinton brings experience energy. She will excite some of the parts of america to come forward. Every day, hardworking americans who deserve a chance, who want to get ahead and when they do, they will stay there. What intrigued me most about the story secretary clinton shared with us today is something that reminded me of my father. She shared a story of an experience where a truckload of workers would get busted in. Waiting for all their moms and dads at the spot would be all their kids. As their parents got off the bus, the kids would give their parents a hug and you can see that smile and exchange with their parents as they came home from an honest days of work to look after their families. There were days my father, an ironworker, he would have to go to work and his coworkers would have to give him a lift. At the end of the day he would have a cupcake or apple in his lunch box. My brothers and sisters would be the ones to greet him. I think with the secretary said today is something everyone across the country gets and she gets as well. We need to make sure our families are going to be looked after and that is everyday hardworking people have a chance. That was something i was happy about today. I turned it over to the chairman. We will take any questions. [indiscernible] she did a good job of giving us some history. She talked about the work that goes into striking the best deal possible. She talked about the fact that no deal is ever going to be a perfect deal. We have to have a deal that not just works but measurably moves us in a direction that we are hoping to achieve. In this case halting Nuclear Proliferation by the country of iran. I think a lot of us will take a close look at the agreement. Every word will count in this agreement. I think it is important for us to examine it very closely, 80 pages we should be prepared to read it all. To make sure what we are reading is what we are hearing so we have the confidence of moving forward. I think most of us welcome the president s remarks this morning that it appears ideal has been reached. Now, we get to work to read the agreement to see if we agree with it. This is not about trust. This is all about verifiable, enforceable provisions to keep a lid, as the secretary said, a lid on Nuclear Proliferation. That is what is important here. What do you say to those i think we will hear all sorts of things. I dont think you will see total agreement in the country of iran in this agreement either. From our perspective the perspective of the Civilized Community around the world, this moves us forward and trying to halt the Nuclear Proliferation. It is no easy feat to get china russia and the u. S. On the same page, let alone the six economic powers of the world together working towards an agreement with iran. So that does give you, or give me, some reason to be hopeful that the words in this agreement are meaningful. At the end of the day, i have a right now as a member of congress to take a look at this agreement. The chairman said each of us would have the opportunity to requirement to read the agreement. I look forward to hearing from secretary kerry and the white house as well in terms of hearing their observations about the agreement and about the iranian government looking forward. I would just add i also value the opinion of secretary moniz. To make sure the tools are in place to be able to look at this and that experts from around the United States and our allies are able to move forward towards very aggressive inspections. It is incumbent upon all of us to read this agreement and be prepared for whatever they take place. We will make sure to get a briefing from the administration for the caucus. Did secretary clinton have any questions about specific Economic Policy like trade . Did anybody ask about tpp . She raised, and others echoed her comments and praised her for this, talking about her emphasis on helping lower student debt and making it possible for Young Americans who have gotten themselves educated, were graduating with a mountain of student loan debt, the need to help them be able to start their working careers without feeling stressed by the fact it costs them a lot of money to get educated. She was very excited to hear some thoughts from all some of our colleagues on ways onto reduce the student debt which is keeping a lot of Young Americans from exploring their dreams. We are looking forward to working with her on that. She talked specifically about wages, the need to have growth with fairness. She made a really strong point about making sure we dont just let the growth go to those who were at the top, but that anybody who produces the wealth, the productivity of American Workers have gone up, but the pay seems to stay stagnant and she made a very strong point about how we need to make sure if you work hard and you show you are being more productive for your company that you should benefit as well. You should be able to enjoy the fruits of all the work you did. She talked about all number of banks. Things. I did mention how the crisis we have in the country in savings was at the top of my report. Building better savings, Better Futures. I handed it to her. She now has my report on building better savings. She also it knowledgedo acknowledged the importance of savings in the United States. It was discussed at the white house on the conference of aging. I think javier is correct that the first thing she talked about was wage the lack of wage increase in the United States and fairness. Nothing specifically on trade was brought up by her or even members of the caucus. Was her email servers brought up . We really concentrated on Economic Growth and fairness. She did spend some time getting us her perspective on the negotiations iwith iran. [indiscernible] say again, please. [indiscernible] there was a question raised about the need to make sure women who have become an increasingly important part of the Economic Vitality of the country have an opportunity to compete. She said to compete. Oftentimes, weif we dont do what we need to do to help families provide day care for their kids to provide the family leave that the worker needs, that we do all the things that we take for granted because a couple of generations ago, you always used to have a caregiver at home, you will never be will to fulfill the full potential of the country. She made a very strong point. Early on one of our colleagues raised the point and the secretary was very passionate about talking about how it we are going to really make america succeed, women in this country have to succeed. Was there any discussion of politics the republican challengers and democratic challengers . She really stressed the points about the economy and boosting wages and helping American Workers. Other than that and the discussion on the iran negotiations the one thing she did mention was that as hard as americans are working today it is kind of difficult to hear some candidates for president talk about how you need to work more hours. The issue is americans are working more hours. Americans are working really hard two or three jobs. They are just not making any more than before. She is talking about how we have to reward people who work hard. She did mention that if the only way to succeed is to kill yourself and work so many hours and you never get to see your family, that is not the american way. I believe we all grew up thinking we can help achieve the American Dream for the next iteration. She did talk about how we need to reward work. Was their enthusiasm on her part for an endorsement . She was making observations. She mentioned here that she got a call from the president last night. They went over different aspects of the deal. And was talking from her part as former secretary of state on the efforts that began in the Bush Administration. This is not something that the Obama Administration started. It began with the Bush Administration and then it carried over into the Obama Administration. On the other point, one point she did make early on was the problem with so much money in our campaigns. And, i think taking it forward the difficulties she has to deal with in terms of disparaging remarks about her. I think overwhelmingly the spirit within the caucus was incredibly supportive of mrs. Clinton. I know i for one was proud to support her eight years ago. Im more proud given her experience as former secretary of state to support her as president. [indiscernible] any final questions . You may have covered this in the beginning but secretary clinton in your role in reviewing this iran deal, the secretary clinton give you any advice . Did she point out any provisions in the deal that she had any observations about . I thought what was helpful that she put the negotiations in the context. She talked about this is not just a negotiation that started a year ago. This is a negotiation that terminated with the Obama Administration. She talked about how this goes beyond that and how we have been trying to deal with that for years. Under the Bush Administration before the Obama Administration. It was helpful from the perspective of someone who has been there to hear that perspective. That i believe he also said it is important to take a look at the verification language. She also mentioned that this is not about trust. We have to look closely at the Enforcement Mechanisms that are there. She also mentioned as secretary of state, it helps her quite a bit to recognize to negotiate how. She made a point if you are looking for perfection, you will never find it. It is whether this is something that will really help them and put a lid on Nuclear Arms Race that could develop in the middle east. She was very emphatic on that. I think it made it very clear to me that i will be reading 80 pages very closely. When you say it did not start with the Obama Administration, does that mean dealing with iran or the groundwork for the stocks . The efforts to try to keep away from keeping iran from developing Nuclear Weapons. And likely becoming a real menace in the region and the world and to us. It started well before these sit down negotiations. She tried to put it into context because if you start in one particular point in time, you may miss a lot of other things going on and that becomes important to give you a clear sense of how to judge this agreement. I think that is important. Thank you all very much. President obama will hold a News Conference on the iran Nuclear Agreement tomorrow. He has said he will veto any attempts by congress to block the deal. We will have live coverage at 1 p. M. Eastern on cspan3. We will have more about the Iran Nuclear Deal in a moment. Up next the House Foreign Affairs committee on the iran deal. Then president obama talks about the criminal Justice System during his speech to the naacp. On this mornings washington journal, your calls on the iran Nuclear Agreement. Book tv is television for serious readers. Join us this saturday starting at 11 a. M. Eastern for our allday live coverage of the harlem book fair, the nations flagship africanamerican literary event with author talks and panel discussions. On sunday, august 2 author Medina Benjamin on indepth. Saturday, september 5, we are live for the National Book festival celebrating its 15th year followed on sunday by our live in Depth Program with former second lady and senior fellow at the American Enterprise institute lynne cheney. That is a look at the upcoming live programs on cspan2s book tv. Cspan gives you the best access the congress. Live coverage of the u. S. House congressional hearings and News Conferences, bringing you events that shape public policy. Every morning, washington journal is live with elected officials, policymakers and journalists, and your comments by phone, facebook and twitter. Cspan, created by americas Cable Companies and brought to you as a Public Service by your local cable or satellite provider. Former senator Joe Lieberman and former cia director Michael Hayden testifying about the iran Nuclear Agreement. We also hear from Nicholas Burns who serve in the state department during the bush and clinton administrations. This hearing is chaired by congressman of california. Mr. Woods this hearing will come to order. Today, the committee continues to examine the Obama Administrations Nuclear Diplomacy with iran. Mr. Royce we thank our witnesses for joining us this morning. The Administration Just announced a hugely consequential agreement. In testimony before this a committee, secretary kerry told us these negotiations will be used to dismantle Irans Nuclear program. That was the goal. Instead, this agreement allows iran to retain a vast enrichment capacity to continue its research and development and gain in industrialized Nuclear Program once key provisions of this agreement begin to expire in as little as 10 years. The president told us that iran does not need to have an underground fortified facility in order to have a peaceful Nuclear Program. Yet, this military complex will now stay open. While the Obama Administration officials first told us irans Missile Program would have to be addressed as part of a final agreement, they failed to mention that addressing the Program Means taking restrictions off we are talking about the icbm program that iran has taking those off in just eight years. As secretary of defense carter testified last week, the reason we want to stop iran from happening an icbm program is the i in icbm stands for intercontinental, which means having the capability of flying from iran to the United States. As we know, countries build icbms for one reason to deliver weapons and recently in this negotiation at the very end of the negotiation, this is what russia and iran pushed for the ability for russia to transfer this technology. This is what russia would like to do. Transfer this technology to the regime. At that same hearing our top military official gave his best military advice. Under no circumstances should we relieve the pressure on iran when it comes to the arms embargo, that comes off in five years. On the critical issue of inspections, just a few month ago, secretary of energy moniz said we expect to have anywhere, anytime access. But, anywhere, anytime has weakened into something called managed access. Managed access should be called manipulated access as any process with russia, china and iran at the table will be treated exactly that way. It will be managed, it will be manipulated. The inspection regime will be manipulated by those with something to hide and this has been the past experience with iran that has cheated on every agreement so far. We might feel better if the United States was able to permanently constrain Irans Nuclear program, but the key restriction the ability to enrich at high levels begins to expire in as little as 10 years. That is 10 years. Most americans will take three times longer to pay off their mortgage. 10 years from now. Once these restrictions expire iran could enrich on an industrial scale. Claiming the desire to sell enriched uranium on the International Market as france does. Iran could also enrichiran could also enrich. All of these would be endorsed. Irans breakout times would have shrunk almost down to zero. As a result, the u. S. And its allies would be left with no effective measures to prevent iran from initiating an accelerated Nuclear Program to produce the materials needed for a Nuclear Weapon. Iran would be able to speed to a weapon faster than sanctions could be used. The essence of this agreement is permanent concessions in exchange for temporary benefits. Thats only if iran doesnt cheat as it has in the past. The bet the administration is taking is that in 10 or 15 years we will have a kinder, gentler iran. The crowd were chanting death to america. He was saying the future was right as people were chanting death to america. President obama has placed all his hopes on the chance. I appreciate the continued focus on making sure the committee gets this. In the 18 months since p5 plus one began negotiating, we have had a lot of discussion about stockpiles and breakout times. We now know what an agreement looks like in terms of infrastructure, but we still await details as to what they will get and how the mechanism will work and what the resolution will look like. Secretary has spent an enormous amount of time on these negotiations. I hesitate to speculate on the deal as a whole until we receive all the details. I have some concerns about the deal. In particular the need to come clean about nuclear activities, the timing of sanctions relief and the impact on the region, ensuring an arms embargo remains in place to prevent the spread of weapons to terrorists. I have been clear that iran must come clean on past Nuclear Weapons work. Iran has been unwilling to cooperate with the iaea on its parallel investigation into the possible military dimensions of its program. Irans intransigence has made it difficult to understand how we can be expected to comply on a deal. Will a deal make it impossible . This is why upholding the integrity of the investigation is so vital right now. I will await details as to what the roadmap will entail. I am concerned about access. We are told the agreement is based on transparency. Will we have the access we need, or will iran have the ability to block inspectors. Will it be enough to gather the information needed. How far have we strayed from the inspections the expert said should be part of any deal. I remain concerned about the timing of sanctions relief. How will stonewalling or cheating on its commitments be dealt with . Will iran have access to its assets all at once and by what date . Where does the money go . Irans behavior is not going to change as part of the agreement. Irans support for designated terrorist organizations has the potential to grow under any deal. While it is true some of the sanctions relief will have to go to fixing economic problems, one can imagine the havoc it could reach it could reap. This needs to be something we understand better. That brings me to the troubling concern. I understand there is a current disagreement. It will not restrict the ability to export for many years to come. It is in some ways baffling to me. Why do we believe the dangerous support will change in five years more than the desire for Ballistic Missile technology will win in eight years . The administration said it is dealing with the issue separate from other issues. Finally, i want to raise the issue of the american citizens held or missing in iran. Iran will never start never stop working for the citizens. Members of congress should have these americans in their thought as they review the terms of this agreement. It must also be analyzed. I look forward to a meaningful analysis. Senator lieberman represented for 24 years. He is currently the cochair of the Iran Task Force at the foundation for the defense of democracies. He is a senior director in new york. He served in other positions. Ambassador nick burns is the family professor of diplomacy and International Relations at the Harvard Kennedy school of government. And he has authored two books on iran. Members will have five calendar days to present questions and extraneous material. We will go to questions after your opening testimony. I am grateful for the opportunity to testify at a critical time. We have produced an agreement that will come before you. Each will decide whether to endorse or reject it. I cannot think of a more consequential vote you will cast in congress for the future security of the United States and the security of the world and i cannot think of a Better Committee to lead the house of representatives in its review, because this committee has built a strong record of nonpartisanship, repeatedly putting the interest of america ahead of the interest of either political party. It is now on this agreement. Thats the way you will go about this. I want to they president secretary kerry, and other staff for the extraordinary efforts they put into these negotiations. You will hear that i have serious questions about the agreement these negotiations have produced, but i have no questions about the sincerity and motivation of the administration in pursuing negotiations. In the time i have had an based on the Framework Agreement that came out in april, i have reached a conclusion, which is that there is much more risk for america and reward for iran said should be in this agreement. Then should be in this agreement. I was a member of the United States senate when the first sanctions legislation for iran was passed newly 20 years ago and privilege to play a role in the passage of every subsequent sanctions bill. Each measure was adopted by overwhelming i partisan majorities in the house and senate. In each case democrats and republicans in congress came together despite resistance. There is no question when we united it was for a clear and simple purpose. To prevent iran from ever possessing nuclear capability. This is not what the agreement does. What began as an admirable effort to prevent iran from developing weapons capability dissolved into bilateral negotiation over the scope of the capability. The agreement announced today temporarily delays but allows iran to become a Nuclear Weapons state and legitimizes irans position of the Nuclear Capabilities it has built up in violation of International Law and in breach of it negotiations under the nonproliferation treaty. This is precisely the outcome that for years we fought to prevent. This is precisely what we enacted bipartisan sanctions to stop. This is the biggest reason i ask you to vote against this proposed agreement. Iran will be granted relief from Nuclear Sanctions in exchange for temporary and partial limitations on nuclear projects. That is the essence of why i believe this is a bad deal for america, a bad deal for irans neighbors in the middle east and a bad deal for the world. The Islamic Republic of iran will have Nuclear Weapons. This takes Irans Nuclear program and makes it inevitable. This agreement will moderate the regime in iran. This is not based on fact. It is a stone hope over experience. We have to judge this country not by what they have said but what the government is doing. In the months and years its negotiations began with iran the foreign minister has been negotiating with the p5 plus one and charming the international media, the regime has continued to build up Nuclear Weapons capabilities expand support of radical proxies that threaten sunni neighbors and israel, improve intercontinental ballistic whistle capability so they spew out the most vile rhetoric. It would be bad enough, but the iranian government has acted on the rhetoric sponsoring repeated attacks that have killed americans and israelis, arabs, muslims, christians, and jews from argentina to iraq. The superpower will one days to be visible on the map. Cease to be visible on the map. It is hard, but the only way we can have confidence is if the inspections and verification are airtight. This is based on the history of iran delaying the International Atomic energy agency, claiming the inspect ors are spies. On first look the inspection provisions announced today will far did will fall dangerously short of the access needed to have confidence this deal will be behave. President obama used the term, where necessary, when necessary. The specifically which creates a process that can go on for at least two weeks of negotiations. Then it has an appeals process to a higher board. It gets access even though iran has access to international monitors in the past. In the days and weeks ahead, you will review this agreement in detail. You will hear different opinions about it and implications. I concluded the agreement falls far short of what is needed which is an agreement that ends Irans Nuclear weapons capability in return for an end to economic sanctions against iran based on its Nuclear Program. There will be some who will try to convince congress if they reject the deal the results will be catastrophic. Some will argue a vote against the deal is a vote for war. Those are false arguments, and i urge you to reject them. I cite as evidence the most powerful measure congress ever adopted against iran effectively barring its sale to International Markets. It will give the administration a new opportunity to pursue a better deal. I will say i know how difficult the following weeks will be for you. The best you can do is decide in the privacy of your own conscience what you believe is best for the security of the American People, including your constituents. This is a decision you and we will live with for the rest of our lives. This is a vote whose consequences will reverberate in the lives of our children, grandchildren, and beyond. Thank you, senator. Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. Thank you for allowing me to be in the company of such distinguished witnesses. We discussed a variety of aspects of the iranian issue. The Nuclear Program was a central issue. As important as the Iranian Nuclear question is, its part of a larger piece. Iran still has to decide whether its a country or a cause. We have been negotiating on the premise that its wants to be a country. It considers itself a cause who survival has to be drawn from a narrative of unrelenting hostility. We put those other issues aside two years ago when we decided to focus on Irans Nuclear ambitions. I get that here get i understand that decision. Diplomacy is the art of the possible not the art of the ideal. During the Bush Administration we, too, focused on nuclear efforts. We need to understand even if we get to a successful conclusion of nuclear negotiations, the other issues remain and there is a possibility the nuclear result will make those other issues difficult to deal with. The issue is not just Irans Nuclear program. The issue is iran. Let me focus on the Nuclear Portfolio per se. If i were drawing a chart as to how do you get from here to there with there being a Nuclear Weapon on the part of the iranians, i would have three paths. One would be the delivery of vehicle. Another would be weaponization making a device. The third one is fissile material to actually have a bomb. We have chosen to bet our future on blocking the path to the creation of fissile material. The others are effectively off the table. Even here i think we have really reduced our margin for error. When this all began secretary kerry claimed we had not conceded the right to enrichment to the iranians. That is the price we pay for not getting the iranians to negotiate. The iranians claim they need the Nuclear Program for the production of electricity. Coming from a nation so rich in fossil fuels i think we have a right to question that. Even conceding that point does not create a case for iran to be able to enrich uranium. There are 20 countries around the world that rely on Nuclear Power that do not produce their own fissile material. We have put pressure on a trusted government in south korea not to do what this Nuclear Agreement allows them to do. The president said iran did not need the water reactor or a peaceful Nuclear Program. We need to see the fine print that continues to exist. The iranians get to keep centrifuges of an older type which the administration is saying is part of a package. Im concerned about how Much Research and development they will be able to do. The last public announcement by our side has been the phrase limited rmd, which could mean a lot of Different Things to many people. Im concerned about our failure to demand accurate accounting. This has special significance. Its not just what they may have done in the past to position themselves. Now we are going to rely on the iaea for verification of this agreement, after having seemingly taught the iranians if you step them enough, the requirement will go away. Will be agency be able to conduct inspections . That is a concern and has been well handled. I know we have to look at the fine print, but let be give you away i have begun to think about this. Inspections should have been at the technical level. Inspections should have been driven by a decision that they had a technical reason to visit. This puts the decision at a political level and i dont see a happy outcome that would revolve that would evolve out of that kind of arrangement. There is a lot to talk about. I dont want to belabor the issue, but i want to bring up one point. In discussing the new agreement many have tried to bring in the power of inspection under the treaty. One of the officials said we dont insist on being able to get into every military site because the United States wouldnt allow anybody to get into every military site. That is not appropriate. That suggests an equivalency that we were entering into a voluntary arms agreement with the soviets. This is iran trying to get out of the penalty box for violating multiple resolutions. This isnt a neutral playing field. The burden of proof should be on the iranians, not on us to prove they are not adhering. This sense of equivalency i dont think is an accurate reflection of what is really going on here. Take, mr. Chairman. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you for the invitation to be here. I am here with friends and people i respect very much. We all start with the presumption it is in the National Security interest of the United States to deny iran and Nuclear Weapon