Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. I want to thank Mr. Royce from California for his leadership on this issue as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as well as Mr. Engel from New York for his leadership as the ranking member.
Americans want to know what is in an Iran nuclear deal. They want their Representatives in Congress to debate it. If facts come out that it turns out that this is a bad deal, which many are concerned we are on that pace for, they want Congress to reject it. I have had colleagues just now listening to those speaking in opposition talking about a nuclear framework agreement that was announced last month, people saying it is a good deal. There is no framework agreement.
The President released a fact sheet, and within 24 hours the Iranian Foreign Minister went on his Twitter feed saying it was just spin, the Ayatollah chanting ``death to America'' on the streets of Iran, saying that that fact sheet was just spin.
In order to have a deal to reach an agreement, both sides need to agree. The message to the colleagues today, I mean, this vote matters, but the work is not over. The tough work, the tough votes are still ahead.
Let's talk about what is not even part of the negotiations: Iran's state sponsorship of terrorism, work to overthrow foreign governments, development of ICBMs, pledging to wipe Israel off the map, chanting ``death to America'' on the streets, unjustly imprisoning United States citizens. That is not even part of the deal. That is not even part of the negotiations.
I want to read it. My constituents want to read a deal in English. They want to know that it is accurately translated, and the Iranians are reading their deal the same way that we are. If there is no agreement on specific terms, is there broad, vague language being used so that both sides can spin whatever they want to interpret this deal is for whatever best serves their own domestic politics?
We are elected to represent our constituents, and they are concerned about the direction of this deal. I have grave concerns. I feel like it is on pace to trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. I urge a ``yes'' vote. I thank the chairman, again, for his effort on this.
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