Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), along with Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), released the following statement opposing President Trump’s announcement that the United States will violate the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by reinstating all sanctions on Iran that had been waived by the accord:
“By unraveling the Iran nuclear deal, President Trump is dismantling a landmark achievement in U.S. diplomacy and disregarding the fact-based findings of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s verification program, which has certified Iran’s compliance at least 10 times. We stand with the heads of state and hundreds of parliamentarians across the political spectrum in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union by voicing our strong support for the JCPOA, which eliminated both the risk of an Iranian nuclear weapons program and drastically reduced the threat of war with Iran.
“The Congressional Progressive Caucus will work in Congress to vigorously oppose the Trump Administration’s efforts to destroy the JCPOA. An exit from the agreement and a re-imposition of U.S. sanctions against Iran only weaken U.S. credibility abroad; undermine our ability to facilitate a peaceful, diplomatic solution in the Korean Peninsula; and empower Iran’s hardliners, while laying groundwork for unnecessary military confrontation.
“We urge our European partners to uphold and protect President Obama’s and Secretary Kerry’s signature foreign policy accomplishment by maintaining economic and diplomatic cooperation with Iran in exchange for its continued compliance with the deal. President Trump’s reckless rhetoric and decisions do not reflect the will of the vast majority of Americans, who believe the JCPOA serves our national interests. We speak on behalf of millions of Americans who believe in diplomacy and a future in which the United States and Iran can have more constructive relations.”
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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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