01.08.16

Buyer’s Remorse

Dems On President’s Iran Policy: ‘No Response Is In Effect, A Response’

‘Democrats In Congress Are Losing Patience’

“Democrats in Congress are losing patience with the Obama administration for failing to respond quickly enough to Iran’s test of a ballistic missile.” (“Democrats, Frustrated With Obama On Iran, Float New Sanctions Proposals,” The Washington Post, 1/07/2016)

  • “Leading lawmakers, including supporters of President Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, rapped the White House for delaying fresh sanctions on Tehran over its missile program, warning that the move would embolden it to further destabilize the Middle East. The abrupt reversal by the administration came as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani publicly ordered his military to dramatically scale up the country’s missile program if the sanctions went ahead.” (“U.S. Lawmakers Blast Delay on Iran Sanctions,” The Wall Street Journal, 1/02/2016)

“Many Democrats are acutely worried about the reported tests – especially after many of them backed Obama’s efforts to reach a historic pact to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for a gradual lifting of international sanctions.” (“With All Eyes On ISIS, Democrats Worry The U.S. Could Lose Focus On Iran,” The Washington Post, 12/14/2015)

  • [Democrats are s]o frustrated, in fact, that some lawmakers are introducing legislation to ensure the next time Iran violates U.S. or international sanctions in any way, they don’t have to wait on Obama to act. Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.) is preparing to introduce a bill, along with Rep. Theodore E. Deutch (D-Fla.) and a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, to expedite the procedure for imposing additional sanctions on Iran linked to terrorism, human rights violations, or ballistic missile activities. (“Democrats, Frustrated With Obama On Iran, Float New Sanctions Proposals,” The Washington Post, 1/07/2016)

 

‘Something Is Wrong Because The Silence Is So Deafening’

SEN. BOB MENENDEZ (D-NJ): “What has happened as a result of Iran violating the U.N. Security Council resolutions as it relates to missile testing? Absolutely nothing. . . . Something is wrong because the silence is so deafening.” (“Menendez Slams 'Silence' On Iran Missile Test,” The Hill, 12/08/2015)

SEN. CHRIS COONS (D-DE): “I believe in the power of vigorous enforcement that pushes back on Iran’s bad behavior. . . . If we don’t do that, we invite Iran to cheat.” (“U.S. Lawmakers Blast Delay on Iran Sanctions,” The Wall Street Journal, 1/02/2016)

REP. STENY HOYER (D-MD): “I am disappointed that the Administration has delayed punitive action in response to Iran’s recent ballistic missile tests. . . . Iran must know with certainty that violating U.N. Security Council resolutions, both inside and outside the scope of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), will be met with serious consequences. . . . The recent missile tests, along with the firing in proximity to a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, raise serious concerns about whether Iran will adhere to the remainder of its commitments under the JCPOA.” (Rep. Hoyer, Press Release, 1/02/2016)

REP. JOE KENNEDY (D-MA): “No response is in effect, a response…if responses are nonexistent, ineffective or delayed, those are also responses. . . . there needs to be a mechanism to allow for stronger and more rapid response going forward.” (“Democrats, Frustrated With Obama On Iran, Float New Sanctions Proposals,” The Washington Post, 1/07/2016)

LETTER TO PRES. OBAMA FROM SENATE DEMOCRATS: “We are deeply concerned by Iran’s continued violations of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1929 by testing a second ballistic missile on November 21, 2015.  Once again, the international community has an opportunity to demonstrate its resolve in the face of Iranian violations of its international obligations. . . . If there are no consequences for this violation, Iran’s leaders will certainly also question the willingness of the international community to respond to violations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and UN Security Council Resolution 2231.” (Sen. Casey, Press Release, 12/17/2015)

LETTER TO PRES. OBAMA FROM DNC CHAIR REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL), HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE RANKING MEMBER REP. ELIOT ENGEL (D-NY) AND OTHER HOUSE DEMS: “The United States and our allies must take immediate, punitive action and send a clear message to Iran that violating international laws, treaties and agreement will have serious consequences.” (“Democrats, Frustrated With Obama On Iran, Float New Sanctions Proposals,” The Washington Post, 1/07/2016)

 

Iran’s Belligerent Behavior Continues Following Obama Admin’s Nuclear Deal

“Iran has test-fired two ballistic missiles since the July agreement, one in October and a second in November, according to U.S. officials. A United Nations panel ruled in December that the October launch violated a U.N. Security Council resolution that bans Iran’s development of ballistic-missile systems.” (“U.S. Lawmakers Blast Delay on Iran Sanctions,” The Wall Street Journal, 1/02/2016)

“Iran unveiled a new underground missile depot on Tuesday with state television showing Emad precision-guided missiles in store which the United States says can take a nuclear warhead and violate a 2010 U.N. Security Council resolution.” (“Iran Unveils Second Underground Missile, Likely To Irk U.S.,” Reuters, 1/05/2016)

“The U.S. on Wednesday accused Iran of launching a ‘highly provocative’ rocket test last week near its warships and commercial traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, exposing how tensions between the two countries could escalate even after a landmark nuclear deal.” (“US Says Iran Launched 'Provocative' Rocket Test Near Ships,” The Associated Press, 12/30/2015)

“Bahrain said on Wednesday it had caught an Iranian-linked cell plotting attacks on its territory, days after it followed its close ally Saudi Arabia in cutting ties with Iran.” (“Bahrain Says Catches Iran-Linked Cell Plotting Attacks,” Reuters, 1/06/2016)

“Iranian protesters ransacked and set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran on Saturday after Saudi Arabia executed an outspoken Shiite cleric who had criticized the kingdom’s treatment of its Shiite minority.” (“Iranian Protesters Ransack Saudi Embassy After Execution of Shiite Cleric,” The New York Times, 1/02/2016)

“Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter who has been held by the government of Iran for the past 16 months and was convicted on unspecified charges [in October], has been sentenced to a prison term . . . .” (Post Correspondent Jason Rezaian Sentenced To Prison Term In Iran,” The Washington Post, 11/22/2015)

 

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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Related Issues: Iran Nuclear Deal, National Security, Iran, Senate Democrats