Toomey Iran Amendment Advances

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 29, 2015
Contact: E.R. Anderson (202) 224-8609

Toomey Amendment Calling for Congressional Vote on Iran Agreement Passes Banking Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) believes Congress should vote on any final agreement the administration reaches with Iran regarding the country’s nuclear program.

The Senate Banking Committee today met to consider legislation that would impose additional sanctions on Iran in an effort to thwart the country’s nuclear capabilities. With bipartisan support, the Committee adopted Sen. Toomey’s amendment that it is the sense of the Congress that it should vote on any final agreement about Iran’s nuclear program. Sen. Toomey’s language was the only amendment with a recorded vote that was supported by colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

"Congress votes on treaties and trade agreements, including agreements that allow for the exchange of peaceful nuclear technology and material between the United States and other countries, such as Japan and India," said Sen. Toomey.

"A final deal with Iran about its nuclear program is certainly no less important, and it deserves a public debate in Congress along with a vote. Our national security interest in preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons will extend far beyond the 18 months that will remain in this administration’s term by the time a deal may be reached. Congressional approval would make a pact more durable, and the importance of such an agreement with Iran should have the national commitment that comes from a bipartisan consensus in Congress."