House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) insists, following President Obama’s remarks on negotiators’ nuclear deal, that Congress much be allowed to review any deal that involves the lifting of sanctions on Iran.
“The president says negotiators have cleared the basic threshold needed to continue talks, but the parameters for a final deal represent an alarming departure from the White House’s initial goals,” Boehner said in a statement Thursday.
According to the Speaker, his most pressing concern is the administration’s position on sanctions.
“My longtime concerns about the parameters of this potential agreement remain, but my immediate concern is the administration signaling it will provide near-term sanctions relief,” he said. “Congress must be allowed to fully review the details of any agreement before any sanctions are lifted.”
Boehner spent this week leading a delegation throughout the Middle East, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahyu, a critic of the deal, Wednesday.
“After visiting with our partners on the ground in the Middle East this week, my concerns about Iran’s efforts to foment unrest, brutal violence and terror have only grown,” the Ohio lawmaker said. “It would be naïve to suggest the Iranian regime will not continue to use its nuclear program, and any economic relief, to further destabilize the region.”
He concluded by reiterating that Congress will continue to hold the administration to account on the deal.
“In the weeks ahead, Republicans and Democrats in Congress will continue to press this administration on the details of these parameters and the tough questions that remain unanswered,” Boehner said. “We will stand strong on behalf of the American people and everyone in the Middle East who values freedom, security, and peace.”