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The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 was signed into law by President Obama in 2015 and requires the President to submit a report to Congress every 90 days on whether Iran is fully implementing and abiding by the JCPOA.
Andy Harris (R-MD, 1st)
“I strongly support President Trump’s decision not to recertify the Iran nuclear deal. The Iranian government is a dangerous, authoritarian regime that sponsors terrorist groups and has openly threatened the United States and its allies. The deal made by the Obama Administration – without the consent of the United States Senate – failed to properly hold the Iranian regime accountable. Our nation’s strategy on Iran must be reevaluated, and I am committed to working with the Trump Administration and my colleagues in Congress to find a permanent solution that will keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of the Iranian government and the terrorists they sponsor.”
French Hill (R-AR, 2nd)
“The Iran Nuclear Deal was a bad deal for the American people that puts our safety and security at risk, especially our nation’s allies such as Israel. This deal has major flaws, including sunset provisions that should have never been included, zero monitoring of Iranian military sites, and continued Iranian research on advanced centrifuges. Without decertification, this deal allows Iran to head in the same direction as North Korea, and it is now up to Congress to decide if new sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program are warranted. I support the President’s decision to decertify the Iran Nuclear Deal and I will continue to support policies that target Iran’s terrorist financing, its missile technology, its violations of human rights, and its nuclear program.”
Bill Hulzinga (R-MI, 2nd)
“The action taken by President Trump today is a step in the right direction. The Obama Administration’s nuclear agreement with the Iranian Regime was ill-conceived and shortsighted. Under this flawed agreement international inspectors are unable to properly verify Iran’s compliance, the Iranians are able to continue to develop and improve their centrifuge technology, and worst of all, this dangerous deal puts Iran on the doorstep of having nuclear weapon capabilities.
“Additionally, the regime’s use of civilian airplanes for transporting troops and weapons to destabilize the Middle East combined with their continued testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles demonstrate why Iran is known as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Congress and the Trump Administration must work together to effectively hold Iran accountable for their actions.”
Last year, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Huizenga’s legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Treasury Secretary from allowing any U.S. financial institution from financing the sale of aircraft to Iran.
Pramila Jayapal (D-WA, 7th)
“As many feared and warned, President Trump is proving to be a major threat to our national security and to world peace. The president’s deeply reckless and dangerous decision to decertify the Iran nuclear deal defies support for the agreement across partisan lines and from experts on his own national security team. Even those who opposed this nuclear deal in the beginning recognize the value gained in remaining in the deal rather than abandoning it.
“The president is out of control. This decision to decertify the agreement has absolutely nothing to do with protecting Americans from harm. It has everything to do with his devotion to unravel any progress that we made under President Obama.
“All of my colleagues in Congress must stand on the side of peace, not war. We should do everything we possibly can to uphold the Iran nuclear deal and protect the American people.”
Evan Jenkins (R-WV, 3rd)
“I have always believed that the Iran nuclear agreement is bad for our nation and poses a grave threat to our national security. I agree with President Trump that we must work with our allies to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and craft an agreement that actually holds Iran accountable. I will continue to work with President Trump and my colleagues to protect our national interests and those of our allies in the Middle East, including Israel.”
Bill Johnson (R-OH, 6th)
"I am encouraged by the steps taken today by the President to put the rogue Iranian regime, the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism, on notice. It is clear that a new, comprehensive strategy is vital to preventing Iran from ever creating or acquiring nuclear weapons, and checking its regional aggression.
"The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a deal that America should not have been a party to in the first place. It only temporarily restricts Iran’s nuclear program, and does little to deter Tehran from continuing its thirst for nuclear weapons and technology - all while filling the regime's coffers. Not only has Iran repeatedly displayed a disturbing pattern of behavior while continuing to recruit and fund terrorist groups operating in Syria and Iraq, but the Iranian regime’s continued nuclear testing on military sites also undermines the standards set by the international community to promote security and regional stability.
“History shows that President Trump is right to be wary of Iran, and this announcement today solidifies the Administration’s policy of protecting American security, and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
Mike Kelly (R-PA, 3rd)
"I strongly support President Trump's new strategy against the Iranian threat and his decision to disavow the failed Iran nuclear deal. Back when this deal was first proposed in 2015, I called it 'a dangerous mistake of potentially historic proportions.' A year later, on its first anniversary, I said there was 'nothing to celebrate—unless you're Iran' and that 'only a new president unafraid to stand down our enemies can undo this deal and reassert America’s position of strength.' I stand by every word of warning I delivered at that time, and today I applaud President Trump for keeping his promise and standing up for our country's security and that of the free world."
Daniel Kildee (D-MA, 5th)
“By failing to certify the Iran nuclear agreement, President Trump is rejecting the advice of his top defense and diplomatic advisors and putting America’s national security at risk by opening up the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran.
“National security and foreign policy experts, including President Trump’s Secretaries of State and Defense, agree that Iran is in compliance with the agreement. Since it was enacted, the U.S. has certified eight times that Iran is in compliance, including twice by President Trump himself. Thus, President Trump is ignoring not only his own national security team, but also the facts.
“Let me be clear: Iran continues to be a bad actor on the world stage. It held a young man from my hometown, Amir Hekmati, as a political prisoner for nearly five years and continues to hold other Americans. But the nuclear deal was never designed to address all of Iran’s provocations. Rather, it sought to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, which the agreement has so far has accomplished. It is easier to address Iran’s other bad behavior without also having to also contend with a nuclear-armed Iran.
“In addition, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently said that walking away from the deal would make other countries less willing to enter into diplomatic accords with the United States. As tensions continue to rise with North Korea, President Trump backing away from the agreement makes a diplomatic resolution with North Korea even harder.
“Congress will now have 60 days to respond to the President’s reckless decision. Congress must abide by the agreement to protect America’s security and interests abroad.”
Adam Kinzinger (R-IL, 16th)
“The decertification of the Iran Nuclear Deal is an opportunity for Congress to reassess our long-term, broader strategy for dealing with this tyrannical regime. I believe it is critically important that we remember that our relationship with Iran goes far beyond this flawed deal.
“From their chants of “Death to America” and provocations against our military, to their destabilizing efforts across the Middle East and active role in propping up a murderous dictator in Syria. This regime is responsible for thousands of innocent deaths as they and the Russian regime assist President Bashar al Assad in his genocide.
“We know that Iran has tyrannical, maniacal, and nuclear ambitions. And we know Iran is actively working against the United States. It’s important to remember that a quarter of the American soldiers killed in Iraq were killed because of Iran.
“Today, the President set the tone and made clear that we cannot allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, and we cannot ignore their threats any longer. I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to strengthen U.S. policy towards Iran, and improve our national security.”
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL, 8th)
“President Trump is planning to unilaterally decertify the Iran Nuclear Agreement and effectively deliver a self-inflicted wound to our national security and standing abroad. Only a week after Secretary of Defense Mattis stated that upholding this agreement was in our national security interest, President Trump is dismantling it.
If the President goes through with decertifying this agreement - despite the International Atomic Energy Agency’s confirmation that Iran is in compliance - he will deal a serious blow to American diplomatic credibility. If, in the full face of evidence and international consensus, the United States goes back on her word, it will only harm our ability to reach a negotiated resolution to the current tensions with North Korea. Every nation must now question whether agreements signed by the United States will be revoked at the whim of the next chief executive.
We must remain vigilant to ensure Iranian compliance with the agreement, but the President’s actions would only weaken those efforts and our security.”
Ann Kuster (D-NH, 2nd)
“Our first priority must be ensuring that Iran is not able to obtain a nuclear weapon and President Trump’s announcement that he will decertify the Iran Deal is counter to that goal. Undermining our diplomatic efforts to contain Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear weapon would have serious consequences for efforts to rein in North Korea and other bad actors through diplomacy. I’m hopeful that reason will prevail in Congress and we will stand with our allies around the world to continue holding Iran to its obligations under the nuclear deal.”
David Kustoff (R-TN, 8th)
“The deeply-flawed Iran deal has failed to prevent the Iranian Regime’s ballistic missile testing, terrorism and overall hostility that continues to threaten America’s national security interests and regional stability,” said Kustoff. “In fact, Iran’s aggressive behavior has escalated since the JCPOA was adopted two years ago. We cannot forget that the Iran deal is a non-binding political agreement that President Obama entered into using unilateral executive authority, without the consent of Congress or the American people. This was a bad deal from day one. I applaud the Trump Administration for decertifying the poorly-negotiated JCPOA and for developing a new strategy to counter Iran’s malign activities. We must remain vigilant against those who wish to bring Americans harm and continue to stand with our Middle Eastern allies.”
Doug LaMalfa (R-CA, 1st)
“The previous Administration’s agreement with Iran was as one-sided as it gets. They lifted billions in sanctions, allowing Iran to finance their terrorist operations – and in return, they’re still fully capable of developing ballistic missiles today with the authority to have nuclear weapons in a few short years. This agreement does nothing to protect the lives of American citizens and our allies, and I fully support the decision to revisit it. Iran must truly be held accountable for their dangerous behavior, and a poorly negotiated deal that is filled with concessions doesn’t accomplish that.”
Leonard Lance (R-NJ, 7th)
“The President made the right move in asking Congress to reevaluate the Iran nuclear agreement. Iran has violated both the letter and spirit of the agreement by its failure to establish required nuclear export policies and practices, working with North Korea on boosting prohibited trade, supporting and funding international terrorism, testing ballistic missiles and the brutalization of its own people. If Iran wants to join the world community then the country’s leaders need to comply with the numerous U.N. resolutions designed to keep the world safe.
“Iran’s nuclear weapons program and support for terrorism are not separate conversations. Congress must consider all of the deadly threats posed by Iran. I support improvements to the agreement that hold Iran accountable and actually lower nuclear enrichment levels. An improved deal must deny Iran all steps to a nuclear weapon.”
Jim Langevin (D-RI, 2nd)
“The President’s actions today threaten both our national security and international stability. The objective of the JCPOA is clear: to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear arms capability. Iran continues to comply with the requirements of the agreement, which include a reduced stockpile of low-enriched uranium; strict limitations on centrifuges, research and development efforts, and the amount of fissile materials; and on-the-ground inspections and assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). By decertifying their compliance with the JCPOA, the President risks triggering a regional arms race, increasing tensions across the Middle East, and further dividing the global community.”
“President Trump’s own advisors have publicly agreed with international observers that Iran is complying with the terms of the deal. Despite this clear evidence, the President is again displaying his willingness to desert our international commitments. When the President fails to represent the United States as a forthright international partner, it only emboldens our adversaries across the globe. Rather than recklessly abandoning this agreement, we must continue to conduct rigorous oversight of the plan’s implementation to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. I urge the President to reconsider and to certify this important agreement.”
John B. Larson (D-CT, 1st)
“The Iran Nuclear Agreement was not perfect, however, as I have stated before and as others in the Trump administration believe, this agreement is the best option, and it has blocked Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The decertification has now put this deal in the hands of the U.S. Congress and I am calling on my colleagues to act in the best interest of United States’ national security. If we withdraw from the agreement without a credible cause, the United States will not only be abandoning our alliances with regional and European partners, but we will put ourselves in a corner. We will be sending a strong, and dangerous message to North Korea and China, saying that the United States’ word can’t be trusted. Equally as important as the decertification, is our credibility with our allies which is instrumental in our ability to negotiate with North Korea. By going back on our word, this will hamper our ability to do so and our credibility. This is beyond politics. We ought to do what’s right for the country.”
Barbara Lee (D-CA 13th)
“By undercutting the Iran Deal, President Trump is gambling with the safety of the American people. His actions are reckless, illogical and, above all, dangerous.
“Withholding certification for the Iran Deal will isolate the United States and alienate our allies. It could also bring the United States back to the brink of war, undoing years of diplomatic efforts. In Congress, I will continue to advocate for preserving the Iran Deal and work to prevent any legislative action that undermines this goal.”
Sander Levin (D-MI, 9th)
“President Trump is carrying out hyperbolic campaign rhetoric at the expense of America’s national security. His refusal to certify the Iran Nuclear Agreement absent evidence of material breach by Iran is dangerous and reckless. With key members of the Trump Administration having reaffirmed Iran’s compliance with the 2015 Agreement, reached between Iran, the United States, China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and Germany, this another example of the President disregarding even the advice of key members of his own Administration.
“During my years in Congress, I actively participated in methodically increasing multilateral sanctions against Iran. Those efforts first led to a broad framework agreement and ultimately the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement, which I strongly supported after having thoroughly considered all the provisions and alternatives. At the time of the Agreement, Iran was estimated to be only two months away from the ability to produce enough material for one nuclear weapon. Key restrictions put in place in the Nuclear Agreement lengthened that period to a year. It contains provisions to reduce stockpile of enriched uranium by 97 percent and refrain from enrichment above a 3.67 percent level for 15 years. It cuts the number of installed centrifuges by two thirds, requires Iran to render its heavy water plutonium reactor inoperable, and allows the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor the uranium supply chain for at least two decades. I supported the Iran Nuclear Agreement because it was the best course of action to ensure peace and security for the United States, and for our allies in the Middle East.
“This Administration risks Iran returning as an imminent nuclear threat and undermines U.S. leadership in the Middle East. In taking steps to unravel the Iran Nuclear Agreement, President Trump erroneously argues that a different agreement may be reached, such as putting constraints on Iran’s ballistic missile activities. This could not occur without offering additional incentives to Iran and without strong support from our allies, who have all repeatedly stated their unwillingness to reopen the terms of 2015 Nuclear Agreement.”
Nita Lowey (D-NY, 17th)
“While there has been much debate over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it must now be rigorously enforced. In the absence of credible information from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the intelligence community indicating Iran’s failure to uphold the agreement, I disagree with President Trump’s decertification of Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA.
“Let me be clear – Iran engages in behavior that is deeply destabilizing to the region. The Administration should adopt an aggressive, comprehensive strategy focused on vigorous enforcement of the deal and steps to combat Iran’s activities beyond the scope of the JCPOA, such as its ballistic missile program and conventional-arms transfers. It is paramount that we ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon while working to rein in its dangerous non-nuclear activities.
“We must continue to stand with our allies and partners in the international community. Abruptly leaving the JCPOA risks our country’s credibility and could isolate us at a time when we need international partnerships more than ever to combat Iran’s destructive actions as well as increasing incitement from North Korea. I agree with Defense Secretary Mattis that staying in the deal is vital to U.S. national security, and we must maintain the JCPOA as long as the IAEA and U.S. military and defense leaders verify Iran’s compliance.”
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY, 12th)
“The President’s decision to withhold certification of the JCPOA risks our credibility in the world without doing anything to strengthen the deal. Iran is the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism and must never have nuclear weapon. I’m pleased that Congress has recently passed, with my strong support, sanctions to crack down on Iran’s ballistic missile program, as well as its sponsorship of terrorism, human rights abuses, and support for the Assad regime.
“Unfortunately, the President’s non-action today will not help in the effort to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, nor will it prevent Iran from ramping up its long range missile program or curtail its destabilizing actions in the region. Instead, this unilateral decision to withhold certification will damage our alliances, weaken our country’s standing in the world, hamper our efforts to deal with North Korea, and leave lasting negative consequences for our future diplomatic efforts.
“Less than ten days ago, Defense Secretary Mattis testified that our intelligence community and the International Atomic Energy Agency believe that Iran has been compliant with the terms of the JCPOA. Under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, the President is required to provide to Congress credible evidence of Iranian noncompliance with JCPOA. To date, he has not provided such information. As long as our military leaders and the IAEA verify that Iran is complying with the JCPOA, and that our partners are abiding by its terms, then I agree with Secretary Mattis that remaining in the Iran Deal is vital to the national security interests of the United States.”
Doris O. Matsui (D-CA, 6th)
“This reckless decision is not in the best interest of our country or our global security. Countless experts and analysts have pointed to the extensive damage that will be caused if the United States abandons the JCPOA. While I continue to support ongoing efforts to ensure Iran’s adherence to the agreement, I believe President Trump’s decision to decertify compliance will hinder our work to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. And, wavering on our international commitment will damage our country’s credibility abroad. I urge my colleagues in Congress to remain committed to this critical agreement.”
Michael T. McCaul (R-TX, 10th)
“One of the greatest threats to our homeland is a nuclear armed Iran. Unfortunately, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), negotiated by the Obama administration, is an extremely weak agreement that has already strengthened the murderous dictatorship in Tehran and will allow the regime to obtain the world’s most dangerous weapons once the deal expires even if it’s strictly adhered to.
“This flawed agreement also inhibits real measures to restrict Iran’s ballistic missile program, omits needed sanctions on the IRGC, fails to address the regime’s human rights abuses, and neglects Iran’s active support for terrorist proxies with worldwide reach such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Lastly, Iran’s refusal to allow unfettered access to its military facilities for compliance inspection is a serious concern which the IAEA has noted.
“President Trump clearly articulated that the JCPOA, as currently written, is not in the national security interests of the United States or our allies. Future generations of Americans don’t deserve to be threatened by a nuclear armed Iran.
“I commend the President for taking a measured approach to strengthen a toothless deal and I look forward to working with the Administration, my fellow Members of Congress, and our allies on tough new measures to prevent this tyrannical regime from expanding its terror footprint and from ever developing nuclear weapons.”
Betty McCollum (D-MN, 4th)
“President Donald Trump’s decertification of the Iran nuclear deal is a reckless decision that imperils global security and isolates the United States from our allies and partners in the world.
“Contrary to the outright falsehoods in President Trump’s remarks, the facts are simple: the Iran deal is working, preventing the Iranians from developing nuclear weapons, and forcing them to submit to comprehensive inspections. There is simply no rationale for either decertifying the deal or threatening to terminate the deal entirely.
“Congress must stand up to President Trump and his policies that endanger global security. In the weeks ahead, I will work with my colleagues to defend the Iran nuclear deal, uphold American credibility, and maintain global peace and security.”
James McGovern (D-MA, 2nd)
“President Trump’s decision to decertify the Iran Deal represents an all-time high in recklessness and stupidity. Every week the president’s Twitter tantrums put the world on edge. Decertifying the Iran Deal will add to this volatility by sending a chilling message across the globe that the United States is abandoning our leadership and our commitments on nuclear non-proliferation.
“With clear consensus by experts that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action remains the best way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, President Trump’s failure to certify the agreement is dangerous and alarming. Ehud Barak, the former prime minister and defense minister of Israel and a strong critic of Iran, is among a growing group of world leaders who said it would be a mistake for President Trump to decertify the deal.
“We must be clear: The Iran Deal is working and making us safer. It set up the toughest international monitoring regime ever enacted. And thanks to the agreement, all of Iran’s potential pathways to obtaining nuclear weapons remain blocked. Walking away from the agreement would cripple America’s credibility on the world stage and endanger any prospects for negotiating with North Korea or other countries. And let me also be perfectly clear, despite what President Trump and Secretary Tillerson appear to assert, Congress cannot unilaterally change the terms of the JCPOA.
“President Trump decertifying the Iran Deal, as well as adding other poorly-conceived unilateral sanctions and conditions against Iran, would put America’s national security at risk and the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran back on the table. Americans deserve better from their leaders. I urge President Trump to reconsider this dangerous move and put the safety of the American people first by reversing this terrible decision.”
Mark Meadows (R-NC, 11th)
“The President’s decision today to decertify the Iran Deal is a major step in the direction of a much safer and more secure America. The Iran Deal was an ill-advised agreement that gave Iran an estimated $100 billion, accelerated Iran's nuclear proliferation, and handed over every U.S. bargaining chip to the Iranian regime. Meanwhile, we have strong evidence that Iran has continued ballistic missile testing, exporting weapons to Hezbollah and other terrorist groups, and failing to comply with the agreement, which requires minimal oversight.
The President is right to send this back to Congress and force us to do our jobs--to develop a comprehensive strategy on how to proceed with Iran using diplomacy rather than ineffective appeasement. This new direction will allow the United States to focus on neutralizing Iran’s reckless behavior in the Middle East and preventing the hostile Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
As I said two years ago when the agreement was announced, the Iran Deal was a historic victory... for Iran. Today is a victory for a safe and secure America.”
Luke Messer (R-IA, 6th)
“I applaud the President’s leadership in decertifying the Iran deal. Iran is not our friend, does not share our values, and unsurprisingly has not upheld the spirit of this deal,” Messer said. “I look forward to working with the Trump administration to pursue a strategy that will keep America and our allies safe from Iranian aggression.”
