WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) released the following statement today regarding H.R.3364, The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, legislation on sanctions against Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
“Sanctions can be an important tool, when used in conjunction with effective diplomacy, to deter threatening behavior. To that end, we agree with the underlying goals of H.R. 3364 – to prevent Iran and North Korea from developing destabilizing advanced ballistic missile technology and ensuring that Russia is deterred from interfering in our democracy.
“Although progressives voted for different reasons today, we are united in this: this legislation should not be interpreted as a green light for President Trump to undermine the landmark nuclear agreement with Iran or as a sign of congressional support for a reckless escalation of hostilities with Tehran.
“Unfortunately, President Trump’s advisors have demonstrated an eagerness to raise tensions with Iran. They’ve encouraged the White House to pursue a misguided arms deal with Saudi Arabia, to enflame a regional crisis with Qatar, and to bomb groups affiliated with Iran in Syria – all with one goal in mind: to push our country towards war.
“The American people support the Iran Deal because it is working. Through U.S. leadership, the world community came together to successfully freeze Iran’s nuclear program and ensure they are never able to pursue terrorism and regional instability with impunity because they are operating under the protection of a nuclear umbrella.
“The Iran Deal must be upheld because the alternative is war. Military intervention must always be reserved as a last resort. We will continue to respect the wishes of our constituents and promote our country’s long-term national security interests by vigorously opposing any action from the President that would lead us to another disastrous war in the Middle East.”
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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.
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