Posted on 08/15/2015 1:40:26 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), one of the few potential GOP supporters of the international accord over Iran's nuclear program, announced Saturday he would oppose the deal, dealing a blow to the White House.
Flake said in a lengthy statement that while the deal includes limits on Iran's ability to produce enough material for a nuclear bomb for some time, "these benefits are outweighed by severe limitations" on Congress and future administrations "in responding to Iran’s non-nuclear behavior in the region."
“While Congress has received assurances from the administration that it does not forfeit its ability to impose sanctions on Iran for behavior on the non-nuclear side, these assurances do not square with the text of the [agreement]," Flake said, adding it should have been presented as a treaty for certain caveats.
Flake, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been viewed as more willing than most Republicans to support foreign policy objectives on the part of the Obama administration, including its moves with Cuba.
He had been one of only two Republicans who was either undecided or had not voiced a position on the Iran agreement, according to The Hill's Whip List, and had been lobbied by the White House to vote in favor of the deal.
Flake said last week he thought President Obama would have "votes to sustain a veto." Two-thirds of lawmakers would be needed to oppose the deal for Congress to be able to override an expected veto.
Flake said Saturday he was concerned the deal would make the Obama administration more reluctant to confront Tehran over its activities in the region, giving "Iran leverage it currently doesn't have."
Kerry will not be pleased. He gave Jeffie a free ride to Havana and Jeffie stiffs him! ;-)
There’s no way they are going to get 67 votes to reject so Flake has the ok to pass on this one to shore up his “opposition” cred.
I knew flake was weak but is he really THIS weak? To consider supporting this treason?
So a flake named Jeff even passed on it, wow.
Normally these kind of things are called treaties and require a 2/3 majority to pass.
Obama knew he couldn’t get there so he had the Uniparty led by Corker pass legislation that stands the Constitution on its head and requires 2/3 majority to reject this so-called Iran “deal”.
Still more to go to get there.
Maybe Flake heard about this, say again??!!———https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aUdNHiOUgk
Then, why is he for the Cuban deal?
Its simple legislation that can be overturned at any time.
The big issue is the release of 150 billion dollars to float Irans weapons and terror network
The whole agreement is a sham because Iran can simply subcontract its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development to Russia, North Korea and China and possibly Pakistan.
Iran is already placing massive orders for Russian and Chinese aircraft and missiles in anticipation of the release of sanctions.
These weapons will give iran regional and worldwide weapons delivery capabilities.
The big issue here is freeing 150 billion in frozen assets and terminating sanctions to give Iran the economic power and political freedom to fully pursue its military objectives
Ironically, this may backfire on Iran. We in the United States may be irresponsible and feckless but the other players in the region are not.
The Sunnis Arab oil states already hate the shia and have been spoiling to eradicate them for some time.
The players in the middle east already have massive military superiority over Iran and Iran is weak and near economic implosion due to its massive nuclear expenditures in the face of what have been crippling sanctions
It would make perfect sense for the regional players to get together and destroy Iran's weapons programs while they still have time
Since Iran is propping up Assad in Syria, seriously hurting Iran's military capability would also put a stop to that help and allow the Arab oil states to realize their dream of oil and gas pipelines going through Syria to bust the Russian European gas monopoly and supply Europe with oil and gas inexpensively
Maybe he heard from his constituents? I know I called AND emailed him.
Must have been a very tough decision for Flake.
First thing Flakey Flake has got right in a while
WELL, KNOCK ME OVER WITH A FEATHER!
He just did this because it must now be certain that there aren’t enough votes to stop it without him.
His handlers told him it was ok.
Croncitain: “If you’ve lost the flakes”...
Leadership has whipped the vote and is giving a heads up on who can vote no to placate the folks back home.
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