politics

Some Oregon Congressmen Praise Iran Deal, Others Slam It

By Amanda Peacher (OPB) and Staff and NPR reports (OPB)
July 14, 2015 4:14 p.m.

World powers reached a deal with Iran on Tuesday that could curb Tehran's nuclear weapons program. Congress now has 60 days to review the plan.

Oregon Congressional Rep. Earl Blumenauer said he's still reviewing the agreement, but thinks it's worth supporting.

"We need to make sure that, I think, that we make this agreement stick. It's not going to be easy in Congress," said Blumenauer. "There are hardliners in Congress and hardliners in Iran that want to blow it up. I'm inclined to support it."

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Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley described the potential deal as a "significant milestone" in U.S. efforts to prevent nuclear weapons development in Iran.

"It is essential for the surety of the United States and for our allies, that this agreement foreclose every possible path that Iran might have to a nuclear weapon. The devil is in the details," Merkley said in a statement. "I will be deeply engaged in examining the details in preparation for the upcoming review by Congress.”

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Congress will vote on the Iran nuclear deal after its review process.

The deal would put restrictions on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and also sets up an inspections regime that makes sure Iran is meeting its obligations. In exchange, the U.S. and its European partners have agreed to drop tough sanctions on Iran, allowing them to sell more oil and rejoin international financial systems.

In Washington, NPR reports that the deal has been unpopular with Republicans.

"We will fight a bad deal that is wrong for our national security and wrong for our country," said Republican Speaker John Boehner.

Oregon Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, also criticized the plan. He said he sees Iran as a nation that supports terrorism and threatens both the U.S. and Israel.

"It seems that the Obama administration has decided to reward that bad behavior with permanent benefits in exchange for a temporary delay in their nuclear program," Walden said in a release.

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