Peterson Statement: Vote on Iran Nuclear Agreement

WASHINGTON - Congressman Collin C. Peterson today made the following statement after voting against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Today I opposed the Iran Nuclear Deal because, in the end, there is no guarantee this will prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. There are some good elements to the agreement but the price we will have to pay is too high. Iran will receive $100-150 billion in frozen assets in the next few months and will have at least $50 billion to spend immediately. Lifting sanctions will only strengthen Iran's economy and enable their sponsoring of terrorism.

"I strongly reject the notion that voting against this agreement is a vote to go to war. I continue to believe that any agreement must constrain Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Keeping current sanctions in place and working toward an improved agreement is the right path forward for the security of the United States and our allies."