Fifteen governors who oppose the Obama administration’s deal with Iran wrote a letter to the president expressing their concern for the safety of their states’ residents. The governors also announced their effort to stand against President Obama by ensuring that the individual states’ sanctions against Iran remain in full effect.
“If implemented, this agreement would lead to the lifting of the United States nuclear related-sanctions on Iran without any guarantee that Iran’s drive toward obtaining a nuclear weapon will be halted or even slowed,” the governors wrote. “Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, and it should not be permitted any pathway toward obtaining a nuclear weapon, now or ever.”
“The people of our states will not be safer as a result of this agreement, much less citizens of countries like Israel which Iran has threatened to destroy.”
Four GOP presidential candidates signed onto the letter, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
The 11 other governors who opposed the deal include Doug Ducey of Arizona, Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Pence of Indiana, Phil Bryant of Mississippi, Jack Dalrymple of North Dakota, Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, Nikki Haley of South Carolina, Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota, Greg Abbott of Texas and Gary Herbert of Utah.
Despite the Obama administration’s efforts to persuade the public, the governors indicated that they wanted no part in the agreement.
“Many of our states have divestment policies for state run pension funds and other state investments, as well as restrictions against state contractors being invested in or doing business with the government of Iran,” the governors wrote. “Paragraph 25 of the Iran nuclear agreement provides that the federal government will “actively encourage” states to lift state-level sanctions … we wish to make it clear to you in advance of any efforts to implement paragraph 25 that we intend to ensure that the various state-level sanctions that are now in effect remain in effect.”
House Speaker John Boehner, who also received a copy of the letter, applauded the governors’ efforts.
“Every governor has a responsibility to help keep Americans safe, and I strongly support those intending to keep state-level sanctions against the dangerous Iranian regime,” Boehner said in a statement. “In the House of Representatives, a bipartisan majority is working to stop a bad deal with Iran. I urge all governors to closely review the facts of the agreement, and join us in standing strong against the world’s largest state-sponsor of terror.”
As Congress returns from its August recess, more senators on Capitol Hill have begun taking sides on whether or not to support the deal. GOP presidential candidates — whether in governor’s offices across the country or lawmakers in Washington — have repeatedly spoken out against the deal. During an address at the National Press Club on Tuesday afternoon, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said the deal, “opened up funding for the war machine of the world’s greatest sponsor of terrorism.”
Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner for president, will visit Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon and participate in a rally against the Iran deal on the west lawn of the Capitol. The rally, organized by the conservative organization Tea Party Patriots, will also include two other GOP presidential candidates: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore.
