LANSING—Democratic
Congresswomen Debbie Dingell and Brenda Lawrence recently announced their
support for the Iran Nuclear Deal. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow will also be
voting in favor of the Deal.

When the Congress returns this
September, it faces a critical vote that will deeply impact global security. As
others have stated, it is probably one of the most serious decisions in the
nation’s history.

“We are faced with this decision
because of Iran’s defiance of the international community through the pursuit
of a covert nuclear program that has left nations and people throughout the
world deeply concerned about the threat this poses to world peace,”
Dingell said.

Since the announcement of the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), there have been intense dialogues about
the impact of the agreement and the potential consequences.

Diverse organizations, which both
support and oppose the proposed agreement, have provided material developed by
foreign policy experts, academics, diplomats, military experts, scientists,
and economists, among many others.

Dingell has met and heard from many
people throughout the 12th District and across Michigan about the Deal including
members of the Arab community.

“Throughout the discussions with
experts and constituents, many have said that Iran simply cannot be trusted –
and I agree with that.  But this agreement is not based on trust – it is
based on verification.  If the deal goes forward, both the uranium and
plutonium pathways to a bomb will be cut off, and we will have unprecedented
insight and access to the Iranian nuclear program.  If they cheat, we will
know it, and current sanctions will snap back into place.  And as
President Obama has consistently said, nothing in this agreement takes the
military option off the table if Iran’s violations were ever to reach that
level,” Dingell said.

Dingell added that without the JCPOA,
Iran would have the capacity to acquire enough material for a nuclear bomb
within the next few months. In addition, failure to approve the deal would
leave Iran’s nuclear program and capability shrouded in secrecy and we would
have no means to keep it in check.  Also of concern, other members of the
P5+1 – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany – will no longer
impose economic sanctions such that the benefit of what has been gained in
recent years would be significantly diminished if not completely lost.

“This simply represents too much
danger for the United States and for world peace,” Dingell said.

Lawrence came to her decision after
spending this period of Congressional review attending numerous briefings and
meetings with individuals and organizations. These sessions have taken place in
Washington, D.C. and in Michigan’s 14th District, which she serves.
Lawrence recently spent more than a week in Israel with 21 fellow members of
Congress, including House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD). This biannual
trip, which was scheduled many months in advance of the announcement of the
JCPOA, included meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu;
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin; Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah; the
U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro; and members of the Likud and Zionist
Union parties and The Gaza House.

“I understand that there are critics
of the Agreement who prefer the option of war or who believe that we can pull
out of this Agreement and stand alone. However, the power of collaboration has
brought Iran to the table. This negotiation has proven that the United States
stands best prepared to address the threat of Iran only when we work  collaboratively
with other allies,” he said.

Stabenow said that while she has some
concerns about parts of the agreement — including whether Iran could
potentially use money it can raise after sanctions are lifted to support
recognized terrorist groups — she believes it is the best way possible to keep
Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

“The only thing worse than Iran being
the largest state sponsor of terrorism would be Iran as the largest state
sponsor of terrorism with a nuclear weapon. That’s why getting this right is
essential for the security of America, Israel and the entire Middle East,”
Stabenow said, adding that the “imminent threat” of Iran getting a nuclear
weapon “outweighs any flaws I see” in the agreement.