The members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado signed a bipartisan open letter to President Barack Obama to “underscore the grave and urgent issues” surrounding the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran.
The letter, which was signed by U.S. Reps. Scott Tipton (R-Cortez), Diana DeGette, Jared Polis, Ken Buck, Doug Lamborn, Mike Coffman and Ed Perlmutter, warned Obama that any deal must convince Congress that it would “foreclose” a pathway for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.
“Over the last 20 years, Congress has passed numerous pieces of legislation imposing sanctions on Iran to prevent that outcome, ultimately forcing Iran into negotiations,” the letter reads. “Should an agreement with Iran be reached, permanent sanctions relief from congressionally mandated sanctions would require new legislation. In reviewing such an agreement, Congress must be convinced that its terms foreclose any pathway to a bomb, and only then will Congress be able to consider permanent sanctions relief.”
The letter was signed by 367 House members, including Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., and ranking member Eliot Engel, D-NY. It was dated March 20 but released Monday.
“As the Administration continues to negotiate with Iran, we are prepared to evaluate any agreement to determine its long-term impact on the United States and our allies,” the letter reads. “We remain hopeful that a diplomatic solution preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon may yet be reached, and we want to work with you to assure such a result.”
The letter resembles the one sent to Iranian officials signed by 47 Republican senators earlier this month, warning that any deal could be rolled back by a future president if not approved by Congress.
Michael Cipriano is a student at American University, and an intern for the Journal.