Obama and Iran vs. The U.S. Congress

For the last six years Obama has promised the American people, Israel and other allies that Iran will not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons. This was a firm commitment. Now it appears during the secret negotiations Obama is about to break his promise and is negotiating to allow Iran to continue to enrich Uranium and possibly Plutonium for the production of nuclear weapons. It appears the issue is not whether Iran will have nuclear weapons, but when.

Obama threatens to veto two Bills. One is a Congressional Sanctions bill which would provide for the reinstatement of sanctions if Iran fails to give up its nuclear weapons program or allow by this summer and which would prevent Obama from giving Iran a third extension during which time their nuclear program will continue. The other bill he threatens to veto is a Bill that would require Obama to obtain Congressional approval to an agreement which he knows he would not get unless it prevents Iran from building nuclear weapons. An agreement of this importance which affects the security of all Americans normally takes the form of a treaty that requires Senate approval and ratification. Congress has made it clear they will not allow an end run on such an important matter. All of this is occurring as Iran is expanding its terrorist stranglehold throughout the Middle East.

Because U.S. security as well as the security of U.S. allies is involved, a bi-partisan majority of Congressmen and Senators need to be able to review any agreement with Iran and either approve it or disapprove it. In addition if a satisfactory agreement to stop Iran’s nuclear program is no forthcoming by this summer Congress believes it needs to reinstate the sanctions Obama removed and/or create new sanctions.

So far the Obama administration has kept Congress and its allies in the dark. For this reason Congress has invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to address Congress in February to better understand what U.S. allies feel needs to be done to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. The problem has gotten even more serious as it is reported that Iran and Russia have entered into an agreement to provide Iran with an anti missile defense system and Iran’s backed rebels have taken over Yemen which Obama recently claimed as one of his successes.

The composition of the P5+1 negotiating group with Iran is a travesty.

The P5+1 consist of the U.S., Russia, China, Great Britain, France and Germany. Russia is building nuclear plants for Iran and sells it armaments. The parts to build centrifuges come from Siemens and other German companies. G.B., France and China purchase oil from Iran and have large business interests with Iran.

None of the countries most affected by Iran’s nuclear weapons program including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, The United Arab Emirates or Jordan are involved in the negotiations which are kept secret. Even more disturbing the negotiations are kept secret from the U.S. Congress and the American people. It is imperative for Congress to be part of the negotiations that will affect the security of the American people for years to come.