On House Floor, Garamendi Explains at Length Why He Supports Iranian Nuclear Deal

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, addressed his Congressional colleagues and the American public in extended remarks in support of the Iranian nuclear arms deal. The deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, blocks all Iran’s paths to acquire a nuclear weapon and includes some of the most extensive verifications ever put in place against a country with nuclear weapon ambitions.

“We don’t trust Iran. We don’t need to trust Iran. In fact, we should go into this not trusting Iran. Therefore, do we have sufficient verification procedures in place to hold Iran to the deal?” Garamendi asked during his speech. “The answer is ‘yes’. […] The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is observing, monitoring, and verifying that the agreement is being held to its standard. We also have other methods of knowing what is going on in Iran.”

“Nuclear material leaves a radiation signature. We have the capability of reading those signatures and understanding in detail what is going on at any particular site,” he continued. “The verifications in this treaty are built upon the fact that we don’t trust Iran, and therefore, these verification procedures are the most robust, comprehensive, and extensive that have ever been in any proliferation treaty.”

The Congressman’s full remarks are available for viewing here. Garamendi also issued a statement last week that explains his perspective.

Garamendi was the first Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee to announce his support for the JCPOA. The Strategic Forces Subcommittee oversees our nation’s strategic weapons and is responsible for ensuring readiness for missile or nuclear attacks.