Corker Votes to Advance Bill to Protect Americans, Improve Vetting of Refugees

Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement after voting to proceed to debate on the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act, legislation that would temporarily pause the admission of Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the United States until the administration certifies the integrity of the vetting process:

“While I believe it is important that the United States provide assistance to those seeking protection from the brutality of ISIS and the Assad regime in Syria, there can be no shortcuts when it comes to guaranteeing the safety of the American people,” said Corker. “This bipartisan legislation temporarily would suspend the Syrian and Iraqi refugee program until the administration can assure the American people that we have the right systems in place to certify that those entering our country are thoroughly vetted and do not pose a security threat. To truly stem the refugee crisis, we must address it at its core and work with our allies to develop a broader strategy to counter the destabilizing forces in the Middle East.”

Corker Responds to the Release of American Prisoners and Implementation of the Iran Nuclear Deal

Last weekend, Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to the release of Americans that were held in custody in Iran and the implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement.

“While I am delighted that our citizens who have been unjustly held in Iran will be released back to the United States and reunited with their families, we need to understand more fully all the details and implications of this arrangement, including its timing,” said Corker. “With Iran possessing one of the world’s worst records for human rights, we must continue to hold Iran’s leaders accountable for their repressive policies.”

In addition to the release of the U.S. citizens, the administration announced on Saturday the implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement. Corker coauthored the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (Public Law No: 114-17) that mandated congressional review of the agreement. Last year, he voted multiple times for a resolution of disapproval that would have blocked the agreement, but Senate Democrats prevented the legislation from passing the Senate. The Iran nuclear deal is not binding on the United States, so a future president will be able to reevaluate U.S. participation.

“Today cannot be the beginning of the United States and Europe turning a blind eye to the troubling threat of a nuclear-armed Iran,” said Corker. “I opposed this flawed agreement, and fear its implementation shifts the leverage to Iran as sanctions are lifted in exchange for only limited and temporary restrictions, allowing Iran to industrialize its nuclear enrichment capability after a decade. Now armed with an initial windfall of more than $100 billion, Iran will have vast new resources to continue sponsoring terrorism, threatening its neighbors, and funding its nuclear and missile programs. The U.S. and our European partners must impose swift and immediate consequences for any violations or acts of Iranian aggression to ensure Tehran will not use the deal as cover to advance its dangerous activities.”

Corker added, “The Senate Foreign Relations Committee already is involved in a vigorous oversight process and is considering legislative proposals to ensure Iran continues to be held accountable. We will use all the tools provided by the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act to quickly impose new sanctions should Iran breach the terms of the agreement.”

Deep Concern over Middle East Realignment after the Iran Deal

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At the first committee hearing since implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement, Senator Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reiterated his opposition to the Iran deal and warned of the perception of realignment in the Middle East. Corker also said he feared the decline, or eventual collapse, of the international coalition assembled to hold Iran accountable as investment in Iran grows.

“I think all of us have been very concerned about how the agreement is going to affect the region,” said Corker. “And I think there’s no question that our friends in the region believe there is a realignment that’s taking place relative to how the administration is approaching the region. I know that there are a lot of concerns on both sides of the aisle within the committee here as to how that’s going to take shape.”

“We want to make sure that as a committee we’re doing everything we can to deter Iran from doing the kinds of things that we all have feared after receiving the large amounts of money that they are obviously receiving now,” added Corker.

Citing the failure of the United Nations Security Council to address Iran’s recent violations of the ban on ballistic missile tests, Corker said he doubted an international coalition could respond effectively over time to violations of the nuclear deal as European countries begin doing business with Iran.

“The thinking that we are going to easily put that coalition back if there is something so out of bounds and egregious when everybody is in Tehran doing business right now is just not going to happen,” said Corker. “There now is no coalition and to me that is one of the greatest flaws of this deal now that they have what they want in this deal.”

In December, Corker and ranking member Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced the committee’s plan for vigorous oversight of the nuclear deal utilizing authority granted by the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA) that became law last year. In addition to permitting congressional review of the deal, INARA requires the administration to provide Congress regular certifications and reports on Iranian compliance and evidence of potential breaches of the agreement. The administration’s failure to certify Iran’s compliance or a determination of a material breach would trigger expedited procedures for legislation to reimpose sanctions.

Welcoming Tennessee Mayors to D.C.

Senator Corker enjoyed discussing some of the issues important to Nashville with newly-elected Mayor Megan Barry Tuesday afternoon during her trip to Washington, D.C.

Senator Corker was glad to meet with Keith McDonald, mayor of Bartlett, Wednesday morning.