“Give Diplomacy a Chance” Congressional Letter on Iran

February 12, 2014 — Days before talks on a permanent agreement between P5+1 countries and Iran are set to begin in New York City, 104 Members of the US House of Representatives sent President Obama a bipartisan letter supporting continued diplomatic engagement with Iran.

Representative David Price (D-NC) said, “I believe that we must take advantage of the opportunity before us to pursue a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to Iran’s nuclear program, and that we must resist calls by some in Congress to prematurely enact a bill or resolution that risks inadvertently derailing or impeding our ongoing negotiations.”

“While difficult and uncertain, diplomacy represents our best hope to prevent nuclear weapons in Iran and ensure the safety of our families and others around the world.  Congress should not undermine diplomacy by giving the Iranian hardliners an excuse to scuttle the negotiations. So many of our colleagues have expressed their determination for diplomacy, and so many more share the same view,” added Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) agreed, “Diplomacy advances U.S. national security. Members of both parties recognize that diplomacy is the best option to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Congress must stand by our diplomats. As the U.S. Intelligence Community has made clear, new sanctions would undermine the prospects of an agreement, paving the way toward a nuclear Iran or another war in the Middle East.”

The text of the letter and the list of signers in alphabetical order are included below.

Sincerely,