Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. -- (SAN ANTONIO) Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today joined colleagues in submitting a resolution disapproving of the Iran nuclear agreement under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. In addition to the resolution Smith also joined Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) and 91 colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama demanding the text of side deals with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) be delivered to Congress.
Congressman Smith: The more we learn about the Obama administrations Iran deal the worse it sounds. This deal emboldens our enemies at the expense of our friends and our national security. It lifts the sanctions on Iran and lacks adequate enforcement measures. It puts sanction relief for Iran above the safety and security of Americans and our allies. This is why I voted earlier this spring to give Congress and the American people the final say. And that is why I join my colleagues in demanding details on secret side deals and in sending a strong message of disapproval of this deal."
The full text of the letter is below:
August 4 2015
The Honorable Barack Obama President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington DC 20500
Mr. President:
It has come to our attention that during the recent negotiation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran at least two side deals were made between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran. These side deals concerning the roadmap for the clarification of past and present outstanding issues regarding Irans nuclear programs" have not been made available to the United States Congress. One deal covers the Parchin military complex and the other covers prior military dimensions (PMDs) of Irans nuclear program.
This is no small matter. As you yourself have made clear the agreement is not based on trust but on verification." The issue of how we will verify that Iran is being truthful about its activities at potential nuclear sites will determine whether the JCPOA can ultimately succeed.
Under the clear language of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act which you signed into law members of Congress are entitled to the text of these two side deals. Specifically members have a right to all annexes appendices codicils side agreements implementing materials documents and guidance technical or other understandings and any related agreements whether entered into or implemented prior to the agreement or to be entered into or implemented in the future." Congresss legal right to these documents creates a corresponding legal obligation for your administration to provide them for our review.
The JCPOA with Iran is a matter of immense importance to the immediate and long-term security of the United States. Members of Congress have the right and the duty to review every relevant document every term and every word of this agreement in order to make an informed decision about whether or not it merits our support.
We request that you provide the text of these side deals to Congress as expeditiously as possible. If you do not possess these documents we request that you immediately secure them from the IAEA and then provide them to Congress. We look forward to your quick reply.
Sincerely
Congressman Smith represents the 21st District of Texas. He serves as chairman of the House Science Space & Technology Committee and is a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and the House Judiciary Committee on which he also served as chairman. He is also founder and chairman of the House Border Security Caucus and has previously been named the most effective lawmaker in Congress.
