Everything for Nothing

Op-Ed

The Iran nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration is a terrible deal that must be stopped by Congress.

The underlying reason is simple yet frightening: if the United States Congress accepts a deal that gives Iran everything in exchange for nothing, then common sense is severely lacking in Washington.

Members of Congress who support this deal need to be replaced.

If there is anything that my time in Afghanistan and in the Mideast as a Navy reserve officer has taught me, it's that national security issues cannot be taken too lightly.

The threat of terrorism on America and our allies is very real and constant.

While it has become a cliché to say that the future of our country depends on a certain issue, in the case of the Iran nuclear deal, it could not be more true.

Under the agreement, the United States lifts its sanctions on Iran in exchange for Iran temporarily -- not permanently -- suspending its nuclear program.

The deal allows Iran to acquire advanced weapons in five years and ballistic missiles in eight, and leaves intact nearly all of Iran's extensive nuclear infrastructure.

If that's not enough, a side deal with the International Atomic Energy Agency will allow Iran to self-inspect nuclear sites rather than use international inspectors.

Incidentally, Sen. Joe Donnelly announced his support for the agreement the same day this side deal was unearthed.

My conviction to be tough on Iran is not new.

As an Indiana state senator, I co-authored state sanctions against Iran.

I commend Gov. Mike Pence for his stance to keep those sanctions in place.

As Secretary of State John Kerry testified before Congress, this deal is an agreement, not a treaty, and therefore should not usurp Indiana state law and sanctions.

However, America and Israel, our staunchest and most cherished ally in the Mideast, will not be safer under this agreement.

Instead, the deal makes us more vulnerable to Iran. Once Iran's compliance is verified, nearly all economic, financial and energy sanctions will disappear.

Iran will receive up to $150 billion which could be used to significantly augment its support for international terrorism.

This isn't a sham tax deal cut between committee chairmen on Capitol Hill.

This is a life-and-death issue.

Allowing this deal to go through will foolishly reward a country with nuclear capability that supports terrorism, thereby endangering American lives and those of our allies. It must be stopped.

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