Senator Bob MenendezVerified account

Ms. Harper gave me a voice & helped me discover that I was pretty good at using that voice to advocate for others. From school board to Mayor to Senator, every person I've helped has been because Ms. Harper helped me So for #TeacherAppreciationWeek, make sure you #ThankATeacher

Ms. Gail Harper at Union Hill High School saw my potential before anyone else. She kept me after class to recite poetry and speeches, assigning me a speaking role the narrator for a school play. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher

I know it's hard to imagine a U.S. Senator being unable to get up and give a speech, but when I was in school, public speaking was a nightmare for me. Ms. Harper changed that. #TeacherAppreciationDay

(2) how the pre-JCPOA sanctions regime will be rebuilt without a coalition of the willing; and (3) how the Administration plans to address the range of ways in which Iran continues to threaten the security of the United States and our allies.

The President must immediately send his national security team to Congress to explain (1) how his Administration will continue long-standing U.S. policy to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon outside of the JCPOA without partners...

And let's not forget, Congress is still waiting for the Administration to deliver the legally-mandated strategy for countering Iran that was due in January.

The governments of Iran, Russia, and China will seize this opportunity of self-imposed U.S. isolation to continue major weapons sales, deepen economic ties, and further challenge the United States and Europe not only in the Middle East but in other areas like North Korea.

The President initially had an opportunity to work with our allies and build follow-on agreements to address serious concerns with the JCPOA, including Iran’s nuclear capacity after certain restrictions expire. But now, President Trump owns the consequences of today’s decision.

While I strongly opposed the JCPOA, it is a grave mistake to walk away from this deal without a plan for ensuring that Iran does not restart its nuclear weapon program, without a strategy for countering Iran’s dangerous non-nuclear activities, and without our allies and partners.

I remain proud that I helped lead the bipartisan work in Congress to pass a series of sanctions that - more than anything else –were responsible for Iran’s willingness to come to the negotiating table in the first place.

With this dangerous decision, Pres. Trump is risking US national security, recklessly upending foundational partnerships with key European allies & gambling with Israel’s security Today’s withdrawal makes it more likely Iran will restart its nuclear weapons program in the future

Unless the President has a clear pathway forward that doesn’t split us from our allies and give the Iranian regime a win, it is in the best interest of our national security to remain part of the #IranDeal.