To: The United States Senate
The U.S. Senate should continue to give diplomacy with Iran a chance
We must allow diplomacy with Iran time to work. We cannot take the chance that new sanctions will derail a chance at a negotiated solution.
Why is this important?
The United States and our allies have agreed to extend talks with Iran over the future of their nuclear program.
While I am disappointed that we did not reach a comprehensive agreement, progress was made, and the decision to extend the negotiations is a far better outcome than a bad deal or no deal at all.
This additional time will allow us to bridge the gaps that remain while still ensuring that Iran's current capabilities are strictly limited. Tuesday's agreement means that as long as the talks continue, Iran’s nuclear program will be frozen and tough sanctions will remain in place.
I know that many of my colleagues will be tempted to pass new sanctions to try to scare the Iranians into a deal. But I continue to believe that new sanctions passed by Congress, just as the Iranians are starting to show some movement in the negotiations, would be deeply counterproductive.
Therefore, I plan to continue to lead the effort in the Senate to support the negotiations and urge my colleagues to resist efforts to pass new sanctions legislation.
I would welcome your help in this fight.
While I am disappointed that we did not reach a comprehensive agreement, progress was made, and the decision to extend the negotiations is a far better outcome than a bad deal or no deal at all.
This additional time will allow us to bridge the gaps that remain while still ensuring that Iran's current capabilities are strictly limited. Tuesday's agreement means that as long as the talks continue, Iran’s nuclear program will be frozen and tough sanctions will remain in place.
I know that many of my colleagues will be tempted to pass new sanctions to try to scare the Iranians into a deal. But I continue to believe that new sanctions passed by Congress, just as the Iranians are starting to show some movement in the negotiations, would be deeply counterproductive.
Therefore, I plan to continue to lead the effort in the Senate to support the negotiations and urge my colleagues to resist efforts to pass new sanctions legislation.
I would welcome your help in this fight.