The Iran nuclear deal gives Tehran "a cash bonanza" and "a path toward nuclear weapons" while leaving the world a more dangerous place, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce said Saturday.
In the
weekly Republican address, the California lawmaker – who's introduced a resolution preventing implementation of the agreement – delivers a blistering critique of a "flawed" pact that "comes up short."
Story continues below video.
"Iran doesn’t behave like the peaceful countries that have nuclear programs," Royce said. "Why does this agreement treat it like one?"
He said President Barack Obama is "betting that Iran will change over a few short years into a country that can be trusted with nuclear bomb-making technology."
"He's betting against history," Royce said.
Royce said the Obama administration aimed for a verifiable, enforceable, and accountable agreement," but settled for something "that gives Iran too much, too fast, and at the expense of the security of the United States and our allies."
Citing a long list of problems in the pact, from a 24-day period of warning of an inspection, to the reported
self-inspection by Iranians, to the lifting of international restrictions on Iran's intercontinental ballistic missile program, Royce calls the deal "deeply flawed."
The lawmaker warned that if the agreement goes through, "Iran gets a cash bonanza, it gets a boost to its international standing, and a path toward nuclear weapons."
And "as Iran grows stronger, we will have fewer ways to respond," he added.
"It makes the world less safe. We can – and must – do better," he urged.
The GOP-controlled House and Senate are expected to turn down the Iran deal next month, and
President Barack Obama has pledged to veto such a resolution of disapproval. Congress would then have to muster the votes to override him.
Related Stories:
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.