With the Biden administration starting to talk with Iran about bringing back the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal with that nation that the Obama administration championed, Florida’s two U.S. senators are stressing their opposition to it.
Back in February, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., introduced a resolution “expressing opposition to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and urging President Biden to work with Congress and refuse to re-join the deal without significant reform” that he introduced back in February.
“President Trump was right to abandon the reckless Iran nuclear deal that President Obama got us into, and I’m proud my colleagues joined me today to oppose re-joining this deal without major changes. The sanctions the Trump administration levied on Iran are working, and must remain in place until Iran fully cooperates and their ability to develop nuclear weapons and produce ballistic missiles is permanently removed. President Biden must be responsible about this and work with Congress to protect national security and the interests of America and our great ally Israel,” Scott said when he introduced the resolution.
Two other Republicans in the Senate–Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Joni Ernst of Iowa–are behind the resolution.
After stressing his opposition to the deal with Iran over the weekend, Scott doubled down on his opposition on Wednesday.
“The disastrous Iran nuclear deal was President Obama’s mistake and President Trump was right to abandon this reckless agreement. Iran has shown time and time again that it cannot be trusted. President Biden must prioritize U.S. national security and the interests of America and our great ally Israel and oppose re-joining this deal. The sanctions the Trump administration levied on Iran are working, and must remain in place until Iran fully cooperates and their ability to develop nuclear weapons and produce ballistic missiles is permanently removed,” said Scott on Wednesday.
In the meantime, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., paired up with U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Penn., and Todd Young, R-Ind., in sending a letter to Biden on the matter
“We are deeply troubled by recent news reports that the United States may soon remove sanctions on Iran in order to return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” the senators wrote on Wednesday. “We oppose any attempt to return to the failed [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], or any deal that offers one-sided concessions to the Iranian regime while it continues to undermine the security of the United States and our allies and partners.
“We hope to work with you on a path forward that prevents Iran from possessing nuclear weapons capabilities, addresses support for terrorism, holds the regime accountable for its egregious human rights violations, and ends its hostage-taking of American citizens,” the senators added.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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