WASHINGTON, October 18, 2015 — U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, who supported the Iran nuclear deal, has joined opponents of the measure in introducing legislation designed to ensure that Tehran doesn’t build a bomb.
“The reality is we need to do more,” Booker said in an interview. “America really has to step up. This is clearly what has to be done to add greater security to the United States, the region and our allies.”
The Iran Policy Oversight Act of 2015 would make it official U.S. policy that all options, including military action, remain available to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
It would also require biennial reports on Iran’s nuclear breakout time and its support of terrorism, and require the appointment of a State Department official to monitor Iran’s compliance with the deal.
Besides Booker (D-N.J.), the bill is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the interim ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, the third-ranking Senate Democrat.
Both Cardin and Schumer broke with fellow Democratic President Obama and opposed the agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program for more than a decade in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
“While my colleagues and I may have come to different conclusions on the Iran deal, we are united in our dedication to keeping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, whatever it takes,” said Booker, who in endorsing the agreement nevertheless cited “its significant shortcomings.”
So has Menendez, who opposed the nuclear deal and was the chief Democratic sponsor of legislation requiring congressional review of the agreement.
