After the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to support the nuclear deal between the United States and Iran, some members of Congress, such as U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), vowed on Monday to make their opposition here at home very clear. Jenkins is a member of the Tea Party Caucus and serves on the influential Ways and Means Committee.
Jenkins spoke with The Ripon Advance about her views on the Iranian nuclear agreement.
Ripon Advance: What is your opinion of President Obama’s nuclear weapons agreement with Iran?
Jenkins: An agreement with Iran was meant to be based on the principle of stopping the Iranians from obtaining any nuclear weapons technology. Instead, initial details suggest that President Obama has gone legacy shopping, using the safety of the American people as his currency. I do not believe this agreement is in our national security interests, and I intend to oppose it.
Ripon Advance: Do the provisions of the accord go far enough in terms of its likelihood of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapons program?
Jenkins: When this process started, the administration set out several red lines they said were non-negotiable. Yet, as is so often the case with this administration, those lines are far behind in the rear-view mirror. Iran is being left with thousands of nuclear centrifuges, will have huge sanctions relief along with billions in accounts being unfrozen, and perhaps most importantly, will be able to delay inspections of nuclear sites. This is a huge drop down from the initial, necessary demands of “anytime, anywhere” inspections.
Ripon Advance: How will this agreement impact our national security?
Jenkins: Iran remains the leading state sponsor of terrorism around the world and still holds four Americans hostage on baseless accusations. Saudi Arabia already has expressed their fear over what Iran will do after this agreement, and the prime minister of Israel, our closest ally with huge security implications for our policies in the Middle East, has called the deal a mistake of “historic proportions.” Giving Iran billions more dollars to pursue their agenda while their citizens and politicians still walk through the street chanting “death to America” seems likely to only increase threats to lives of Americans.”
Ripon Advance: Any other comments on this issue?
Jenkins: Winning a Nobel Prize shouldn’t matter as much to Secretary Kerry and President Obama’s administration as protecting the American people. This deal falls short on almost every baseline and is a bad deal for America. I will not accept any deal that is not in line with the priorities of the American people.