Dear Mr Setzler:

Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts regarding the proposed nuclear agreement between the international community and Iran.

This nuclear agreement is one of the most significant national security issues Congress will face in a generation. Congress should give this agreement the careful consideration and serious debate it deserves.

Following imposition of tough sanctions on Iran passed by Congress and implemented by the Obama administration, the United States and our UN Security Council partners (China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, plus Germany, or the “P5+1”), reached an agreement with Iran on July 14, 2015 to impose strict new limits on its nuclear program. That agreement, and the various documents that must be submitted by the President to Congress to accompany the agreement -- including a classified US intelligence assessment of our ability to verify that Iran is abiding by the agreement -- were formally submitted to Congress on July 19, 2015. On July 20, the UN Security Council endorsed the agreement.

Under a previous compromise between the President and Congress, the agreement will now be reviewed by Congress for up to 60 days. During this period, Congress will assess the agreement, hold numerous hearings and briefings, consult outside experts, and decide whether to approve the deal, reject it, or take no formal legislative action. If the agreement is approved during the review period, or no legislative action is taken, the agreement would be implemented. If Congress adopts a formal resolution of disapproval over the President’s anticipated veto -- the President would be prevented from implementing the agreement.

It is important to note that the U.S. will maintain strong sanctions against Iran for its acts of terrorism, ballistic missile-related activity, and ongoing human rights under the proposed agreement. Should the nuclear agreement go forward, the U.S. must continue to utilize all tools -- including economic, political, and diplomatic pressure and expanded security cooperation with key Mideast allies like Israel -- to continue to deter Iran’s malign activities. Additional issues, such as the fate of several Americans currently being held in Iran, must also be resolved.

I appreciate your sharing your thoughts with me. As the Senate carefully examines the agreement, I will keep your thoughts in mind.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Sherrod Brown

                                                            United States Senator

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