From the office of U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski:
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today issued the following statement in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) international agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons:
“In accordance with the law, Congress has been reviewing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for the past 45 days. I have spent countless hours reading, being briefed and pouring over the intelligence. I have diligently worked to make an informed decision, one that weighs risk and considers a future 10, 15, 25 years from now. Without question, this vote is among the most serious I’ve taken. This vote has monumental and enduring consequences.
“Throughout my review of this deal, my questions have been: How does this deal affect the safety and security of the United States? And how does this deal affect the safety, security and viability of Israel?
“For all my time in both the House and Senate, I have been an unabashed and unwavering supporter of Israel. I have persistently supported the sanctions that brought Iran to the table. I have been insistent on foreign aid and military assistance to Israel that maintains its qualitative military edge on missile defense. With the horrors of the Holocaust in mind, I have been deeply committed to the need for a Jewish homeland, the State of Israel, and its inherent ability to defend itself. And for the United States to be an unwavering partner in Israel’s defense. I have been and always will be committed to those principles.
“I took an extensive review of this deal. I took a workman-like approach, covering every aspect of the deal: military, intelligence, diplomatic, economic. I actually read the deal, both the classified and the unclassified annex. I met the U.S. diplomats, nuclear experts and the national security staff who negotiated the deal. I actively participated in every classified and unclassified briefing available to me. I took the additional step of traveling to Vienna to meet with the Director General of the IAEA and his technical staff to evaluate for myself, first hand, the inspection and verification requirements. I have listened to my constituents, including leaders in the Jewish community. I did my homework.
“Throughout, I asked the tough questions. And I questioned the answers to those questions. These were my key questions:
1. Does this agreement block the four pathways to a nuclear bomb: Highly enriched uranium at Natanz, highly enriched uranium at Fordow, weapons grade plutonium, and covert attempts to produce fissile material?
2. Is it verifiable?
3. Do inspections work to detect overt and covert violations of the agreement?
4. What is the impact of a 24-day delay to get an inspection?
5. Does the IAEA have the capacity to implement the agreement?
6. What sanctions will be lifted, when and under what conditions?
7. Do snapback sanctions really have a snap?
8. If we reject this deal, what are the alternatives that would be effective and achievable?
“The answer to my first question – Does it block the four pathways to a nuclear bomb? – is yes. This deal sufficiently blocks the four pathways to get to a bomb. There is no shortcut to a nuclear bomb. This deal fundamentally addresses that fact.
“First, it blocks Iran’s ability to have weapons-grade plutonium. The Arak reactor would be redesigned. Spent fuel would be sent out of Iran in perpetuity. Efforts to use Arak for weapons-grade plutonium would be detected.
“Second, it drastically cuts Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities by reducing Iran’s inventory of active centrifuges at Fordow and Natanz. The deal also monitors the uranium supply chain and procurement channel for 25 years.
“Third, it reduces Iran’s uranium stockpile below levels needed to make a single bomb. It cuts the uranium stockpile by 98 percent, to 300 kilograms, for 15 years. It puts uranium enrichment of the remaining stockpile at 3.67 percent.
“Fourth, by blocking the pathways, it makes it very difficult for Iran to develop a separate covert program.
“In answering my second and third questions – Is it verifiable? Do inspections work to detect overt and covert violations of the agreement? – I have found that this deal provides sufficient verification and inspection mechanisms. The IAEA has extensive access to Iran’s declared nuclear sites, making the detection of violations and a covert program more likely. The IAEA also has direct access to centrifuge manufacturing sites to conduct inspections on short notice. Under Iran’s additional protocol, the verification and inspection process has also been scientifically reviewed and validated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear scientists and endorsed by 29 of the nation’s top scientists, including several Nobel prizewinners who described the inspection process as ‘innovative and stringent.’
“In answer to my fourth question – What is the impact of a 24-day delay to get inspections? – The IAEA will have daily access to Iran’s declared nuclear facilities: Natanz, Arak and Fordo. The 24-day process would apply to undeclared sites only. These would be sites where the IAEA suspects Iran is conducting covert nuclear activities.
“In answer to my fifth question – Does the IAEA have the capacity to implement the agreement? – I would say, yes. After visiting the IAEA in Vienna and delving into the organization, I believe that it has sufficient expertise to implement this deal. But all nations involved in its funding, including but not limited to the United States, have to be aggressively involved in monitoring the resources of the organization.
“In answer to my sixth question – What sanctions will be lifted, when and under what conditions? – The parts of the agreement that would lift sanctions are among its most complicated and controversial elements. I would have preferred a glidepath over a three-year period, or longer, for sanctions relief. Under the agreement, however, no sanctions will be lifted until Iran takes key steps: Limits its uranium enrichment program, resolves issues with possible military dimensions, converts the Arak facility, and allows for proper inspections. And these steps must be certified by the IAEA, which will deliver its key assessment of possible military dimensions on December 15.
“When these requirements are met, the U.S. will lift sanctions in key sectors: Oil and gas; banking and financial services; insurance-related; shipping, ship building and transport; gold and precious metals; software; and people, including international travel visas. That process will take six months to a year. The sanctions are lifted, not terminated, and can be snapped back, per the agreement.
“Which takes us to my seventh question – Do snapback sanctions really have a snap? Russia, China, India and our European partners were very active members of the negotiations with a common interest in Iran not having a nuclear weapon. I believe they would support a snapback in sanctions if a violation was identified and verified. But the snapback sanctions mechanism, while innovative, is untested.
“Finally, I’ve asked if we reject this deal, what the alternatives are that would be effective and achievable. I’ve considered the alternatives very closely. But in the end, they don’t present a more viable option to this deal. The two alternatives are more sanctions, or military action.
“Some have suggested we reject this deal and impose unilateral sanctions to force Iran back to the table. But maintaining or stepping up sanctions will only work if the sanction coalition holds together. It’s unclear if the European Union, Russia, China, India and others would continue sanctions if Congress rejects this deal. At best, sanctions would be porous, or limited to unilateral sanctions by the U.S. But these are the same reasons that the efficacy of the snapback provision is questioned. If you don’t think snapback works, enhanced sanctions won’t work either.
“There are also those who have proposed military action as an alternative to end Iran’s nuclear program. But taking military air strikes against Iran would only set the program back for three years. It would not terminate the program. Iran would continue to possess the knowledge of how to build a bomb and could redouble its resolve to obtain a weapon, completely unchecked. Iran would almost certainly use Hizballah or other proxies to attack Israel or conduct terrorist- or cyber-attacks against U.S. interests. The military option is always on the table for the United States. We are not afraid to use it. But military action should be the last resort, since it will have only temporary effects versus the longer-term effects of this deal.
“No deal is perfect, especially one negotiated with the Iranian regime. I have concluded that this Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb. For these reasons, I will vote in favor of this deal. However, Congress must also reaffirm our commitment to the safety and security of Israel.”
A lot of liberal talk and bullshit. What did Mikulski recieve for her vote? I don’t believe her. She sold herself.
This old hag is senile if she thinks her ‘analysis’ is thorough or factual. How can ANYONE deal with the Tehran regime that still has its masses out in the streets chanting “Death to America” and refusing to eliminate the goal that “We will wipe Israel off the face of the map?” Babs is another Socialist loonie-tune who is supporting the Communist-in-Chief no matter what the ultimate consequences may be. I hope that when the first ICBM with a nuclear warhead lands on the U.S. it will be targeting her place. Perhaps then she will ‘get it’ about the totalitarian regime in Iran. Babs, you’ll not be able to run fast enough to one of the government safe houses in northern VA or in WV. Guaranteed.
I’m guessing Bab’s never watched the
I’m guessing Bab’s never saw Planet of the Apes.
planet of the Apes
Babs represents everything that is wrong with politicians. What a joke she is. Absolute bullshit. People please wake the hell up and get rid of each every dawned politician on both sides. Look around
and ask yourself, what is getting better?
Not enough people have had enough of the BS. If the voters aren’t going to kick scum like Mikulski to the curb, then what we need are term limits. Of course, the very people that can vote themselves a raise certainly aren’t going to vote to have their time at a well paying, make believe job limited.
Term Limits in the Senate should be enacted. Too many Senators are entrenching themselves in the Senate due to NO TERM LIMITS and CORRUPTION. Look at Mitch McConell. His own electorate despises him, yet they reelect him every time due to McConell’s excellence at running smear campaigns, that make him look as if he is the only viable candidate. Mikulski has been in office for way too long and doesn’t really care about being reelected because she is retiring after this term. She supports partisan politics and anyone that practices partisan politics is harmful to the people of the United States.
She is like JUDAS selling our country out. Just like the rest of them selling our country out.
Just like she didnt do much to help many of the hard working men and women who spent a lifetime at Bethlehem Steel. She sold them out as well. How would you like to work 30 to 40 + years with a promise of a retirement with health benefits, only to have nothing when the time came to need those things?
This treaty is neither liberal or conservative, democrat or republican. This treaty has no party or agenda appeal but is simply about the best way forward to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Does it? I don’t think so but truth about Mikulski is she’s always voted strictly down party lines. Doesn’t matter what the issue she can always be counted upon to tow the party line. That means that she really doesn’t care about her constituents – never has and not only that she doesn’t need to read about it, know about it, study it or understand it regardless of the issue because she asks the dems in charge how she’s supposed to vote. She’s a useless tool.
Babs is no longer running for office in Maryland. She has her nice pension thanks to the tax payers. No real reason for her not to carry Obamas water despite the overwhelming majority of people who oppose this. Shameful what she has become.
Way to go Babs, you’ve capped off your illustrious career as a brainless party drone with a vote that states you’re a… brainless party drone! Tell us, did you ever, in all your decades of wasted time in DC, ever gin up the courage to vote AGAINST the party? Obama of Oz sent the scarecrow with his head full of straw to work out a ridiculous deal with animals only to have one of the munchkins back him up when everybody knows it’s the most pathetic sham of his sham presidency. How will this work exactly… we’ll tell them they only have 24 days to clean things up before they have to inspect themselves? This is what we get from people that are supposed to be so much smarter than the rest of us? The rest of the world will be laughing at the stupid Americans – once again.
First let me say that I do not support the Iran deal.
Second, let me say that I don’t agree that the rest of the world will be laughing at the stupid Americans. Since this deal is also supported by Europe and other nations, just who is “the rest of the world” that will be laughing? Perhaps, over time, many of those nations that support this deal, will come to the conclusion that it was not in anyones best interest (other than Iran) that such a deal was made.
Sen Mikulski is truly retiring (not looking for a high paying lobbying job) and I have no doubt she made this decision solely based upon the legacy she will be leaving to her family. She had nothing politically or financially to gain.
You all as wrong about Iran as you have been about every other topic. Trying to feel better for being the wrong minded idiots you are (suggesting foreign policy because you saw a sci fi movie once??? Please!). by making up false accusations against one of the longes serving and most respected Senators just helps prove your diminished intellectual capacity. Might I recommend you STFU so you stop embarrassing yourself.
Oh and if this is BIbi posting anonymously – check yo self b4 you wreck yo self. Not like you are entirely blameless anymore as you continue your 50 year policy of oppressing Palestinians.
In conclusion it is hard to feel sorry for cry baby a holes regardless if neighbors or a world away. But it is fun to gloat and tell u to suck it. Give peace a chance or are you not going to be happy until every soldier comes back with PTSD?
Senator Mikulski is certainly long serving and she may be well respected by many in the State of Maryland, but I would not agree that is the case among her Senate colleagues. If she was so well respected, even by her own party members, why, as such a long serving Senator, was she never given the chairmanship of any Senate committee?
I’ve been in Mikulski’s office before and if her staff reflect anything about her then she’s a humorless dullard. It’s like a morgue in there and by contrast every other representatives office in Maryland brims with activity and energy. She’s a dull nitwit that’s been patted on the head by democratic leadership in Washington because they know they can count on her to do as she’s told.
And here I thought Forest Hill was a town with a population of fairly high intellect individuals. I guess every village has their idiot.
So, I actually read this statement and as expected when I got to the “In answer to my fourth question” section it all falls apart. Ms. Dimbulb, the key word in your answer is “covert”. A 24 day warning of inspection is to allow them to KEEP it COVERT – and your answer is a non-answer. Are you and the rest supporting this deal really this stupid? Since Obama doesn’t have the balls for it, unhandcuff Israel and let them do it. Iran fought Iraq for a decade and never won… we wiped up Iraq in a matter of weeks. Iran is nobody. You state airstrikes will only set them back 3 years… fine, in 3 years we do it again. Take turns with Israel, they’d be happy to join in.
The Moonbat from Maryland has spoken.
FH Resident, give peace a chance? What chance for peace can there be with the chant, Death to America? Iran has been a supporter of Hezbollah since it’s founding in the 80’s, a known terrorist organization that doesn’t understand peace. Mikulski is clueless to believe this deal will do anything but put a larger bull’s eye on Israel.
Republicans are red, Democrats are blue, neither one of them gives a shit about you……