Senator Hatch raises concerns over Iran nuclear deal

U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) raised concerns this week on the Senate floor about the proposed Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act.

“My initial review has raised serious questions about whether this agreement forecloses Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon,” Hatch said. “If left unanswered, these concerns lead me to believe that this agreement could end up being a catastrophic mistake.”

Hatch made a point of mentioning the $150 billion in frozen Iranian assets that the agreement makes available to the regime, citing concern that the Iranian government may use those assets to fund terrorist activities.

His speech also raised the issue that the deal may not achieve the objective of halting Iran’s ability to acquire a nuclear weapon, but instead may allow the country greater access to armaments.

“After eight years, under this agreement, the Iranians will be able to begin building and stockpiling more than 200 advanced centrifuges a year,” Hatch said.

Hatch has represented the State of Utah in the U.S. Senate since 1976. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1934, Hatch previously served as chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee from 1981 to 1987. Hatch was educated at Brigham Young University and University of Pittsburgh Law School and married to Elaine Hansen. He serves on the following committees: Committee on Finance, Committee on the Judiciary, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Special Committee on Aging, Joint Committee on Taxation, Impeachment Trial Committee on the Articles against Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr.