Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I have great respect for Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel and incredible respect for my Democratic leaders and the Republican leaders who have spoken in favor of this bill. But I must rise in opposition to H.R. 850.

This Sunday on August 4, Iran will inaugurate a new President, Hassan Rouhani. It is a moment that allows President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, Secretary of Defense Hagel, and the international community an opportunity to reengage with Iran on key issues of concern, most importantly the development of Iran's capacity to develop and launch a nuclear weapon.

This may be a very small window of opportunity for a fresh start on dialogue and action on the future of a nuclear Iran. It may be short-lived, depending on how Iran's new President views this moment. But it is a time when I, for one, want to support the White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon's ability to move forward our relationship and dialogue with Iran on this most serious matter.

It is not the moment for Congress to increase and expand the level of U.S. sanctions against Iran. We have plenty of sanctions right now against Iran. If for some reason we need to increase even further the pressure against Iran and its new President, then we have the time to do so. It does not need to be done before the new Iranian President even takes office. We have time to weigh his sincerity and, more importantly, his actions to improve Iran's relations with the international community in the weeks and months to come. If he does not, if Iran remains intransigent and determined to develop a nuclear weapon, then the current onerous regimen of sanctions can be increased. But now is not the time to undermine U.S. diplomacy before it even has a chance to take shape.

Like all my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I'm skeptical that President-elect Rouhani will change the course of Iran's nuclear development, but I am willing to give him a chance. I'm willing to give Secretary Kerry a chance. If nothing changes, then we can revisit this bill or others at a later date. But not now.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me and vote against the untimely consideration of this bill.

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