This list was last updated on July 23 at 11:00 p.m. (less up to date but helpful because of the telephone numbers)
DEMOCRATS – YES (5)
202-224-2152: Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.) — "Finding a diplomatic solution will make our country, our allies and the world a safer place," said the Senate's No. 2 Democrat.
202-224-3841: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) — "I stand behind the U.S. negotiating team and will support this agreement in the Senate," Feinstein, the ranking member of the Intelligence panel, said Tuesday.
202-224-5521: Sen. Martin Heinrich (N.M.) — "This deal sets the stage for a safer and more stable Middle East and a more secure United States of America," said Heinrich.
202-224-4642: Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.) — "This agreement demonstrates the power of American-led diplomacy and establishes a strict and robust monitoring and verification system," Reed, ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. "If fully implemented, this dealwill help control Iran's pathways to a nuclear weapon."
202-224-5141: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — "This is a victory for diplomacy over saber-rattling and could keep the United States from being drawn into another never-ending war in the Middle East," said the 2016 contender for the Democratic nomination.
DEMOCRATS - LEANING YES (13)
202-224-2823: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) — "I welcome the announcement of an agreement with Iran after a long and difficult diplomatic road, but the terms must be carefully and closely reviewed by Congress," said Blumenthal.
202-224-3553: Sen. Barbara Boxer (Calif.) — "I look forward to robust hearings in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and, if this agreement is what the Administration says it is, it is a major, historic diplomatic breakthrough," Boxer said in a statement.
202-224-2315: Sen. Sherrod Brown (Ohio) — Brown said he looks "forward to being briefed on its terms."
202-224-2441: Sen. Tom Carper (Del.) — Carper urged his colleagues to "cool your jets." "Let's read the document," he said in a statement. "Let's meet with the Americans who've negotiated it and ask them the tough questions that need to be asked."
202-224-4242: Sen. Patrick Leahy (Vt.) — "After many years of painstaking negotiations, I am very encouraged by President Obama's announcement this morning," said Leahy.
202-224-3954: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) — Manchin suggested he is in favor of the deal. "It would be a catastrophe to walk away," Manchin said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
202-224-6154: Sen. Claire McCaskill (Mo.) — "Preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon is paramount to our national security, and if this agreement accomplishes that goal, it will make the world a safer place for America and our allies," she said, according to The Kansas City Star.
202-224-3753: Sen. Jeff Merkley (Ore.) — "Today's announcement is a significant milestone in the effort to preclude Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon," said Merkley. "The devil is in the details. I will be deeply engaged in examining the details in preparation for the upcoming review by Congress."
202-224-4041: Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.) — Murphy congratulated President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry on the accord and said in a statement that he "looks forward to a congressional review process that is fair and deliberative."
202-224-3542: Sen. Harry Reid (Nev.) — The minority leader called it a "historic accord," but stopped short of endorsing the deal. "Now it is incumbent on Congress to review this agreement with the thoughtful, level-headed process an agreement of this magnitude deserves," he said.
202-224-3934: Sen. Brian Schatz (Hawaii) — "If this is a good deal, it is the first step in a long road to blocking Iran's access to a nuclear weapon, and we must remain vigilant to ensure Iranian compliance."
202-224-6621: Sen. Tom Udall (N.M.) — "Today's announcement is a historic step for international cooperation and our shared goal of reducing the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran," Udall said in a statement. "I have always believed that constructive diplomacy is the best way to achieve a safer Middle East, and I congratulate our team of negotiators on reaching this agreement."
202-224-4543: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) — "Diplomacy represents our best hope of ending that threat, far better than the alternative of escalating tensions and war," said Warren. She said she would review the terms to ensure they are "tough, verifiable, and effective."
DEMOCRATS – UNCLEAR/UNDECIDED (28)
202-224-5653: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) — "I'm proud that America led six countries toward an historic international agreement with Iran," said Baldwin in a statement. But she added she would "take the time to carefully review this diplomatic agreement."
202-224-5852: Sen. Michael Bennet (Colo.) — "We will carefully scrutinize the terms of this agreement. The stakes are high and the details of this deal matter," he said. Bennet could face a tough reelection challenge in 2016.
202-224-3224: Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) — "A nuclear-armed Iran is an unacceptable threat to American security, to the safety of our allies, and to Middle East stability," he said in a statement." Booker said he would hold the deal "to a very high standard."
202-224-3441: Sen. Maria Cantwell (Wash.)
202-224-4524: Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.) — "Negotiators have spent painstaking time and untold effort working on this accord," said the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee. "Congress in turn must fulfill its oversight responsibilities and conduct a thorough, rigorous, and evenhanded review."
202-224-6324: Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. (Pa.) — "Preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is critical to our national security and that of our partners in the region, especially Israel. That's why I have consistently sponsored and supported sanctions against Iran, which brought the regime to the table in the first place, and legislation like the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act and the Nuclear Weapon FreeIran Act of 2015."
202-224-5042: Sen. Chris Coons (Del.) — "I will review the details of this agreement promptly, and I will only support it if this deal prevents every Iranian pathway to develop a nuclear weapons capability."
202-224-4814: Sen. Joe Donnelly (Ind.) — "I believe a nuclear-armed Iran would be one of the most serious threats to our national security interests, and I have long-supported efforts — including sanctions — to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon," Donnelly said. "In the days and weeks ahead, I will be reviewing the negotiated agreement and look forward to the Congressional review process."
202-224-5641: Sen. Al Franken (Minn.) — Franken called it a "complex issue," reported Minnesota Public Radio. "In the days to come, I will have to review the deal closely. Obviously, a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear program is preferable to military action," he added.
202-224-4451: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) — "I want to read all of the details, especially on the verification components, before making a determination whether this is a good deal," said Gillibrand.
202-224-2043: Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.)
202-224-6361: Sen. Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) — "While Congress will spend the next several weeks using our authority to thoughtfully examine the agreement with great scrutiny, Iran will have to earn sanctions relief through consistent compliance," Hirono said in a statement.
202-224-4024: Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.) — "Given that the deal largely hinges on what Iran must do to get relief from sanctions imposed by Congress, the American public deserves to have its elected representatives review any final deal to ensure it is in our national security interest," Kaine said.
202-224-5344: Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) — "I welcome the announcement that the United States and its negotiating partners have reached an agreement with Iran, and I look forward to thoroughly examining the details to determine whether or not the deal contains the necessary provisions to ensure that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons capability," King said in a statement.
202-224-3244: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) — "Critical components of the agreement that I will be closely examining include the verification measures; the process of lifting sanctions and the mechanism for re-imposing sanctions if Iran violates an agreement; and limitations on Iran's research and development program," she said in a statement, reported by Minnesota Public Radio.
202-224-2742: Sen. Ed Markey (Mass.) — "I plan to carefully examine the language of the proposed agreement and look forward to hearing from our nation's top current and retired national security leaders about how this agreement will improve regional and global security."
202-224-4744: Sen. Bob Menendez (N.J.) — "The bottom line is: The deal doesn't end Iran's nuclear program – it preserves it," Menendez said in a statement. But he said he would weigh "the totality of the agreement."
202-224-4654: Sen. Barbara Mikulski (Md.) — "It's now time for Congress to do its due diligence in a purposeful and rigorous way. No stone can remain unturned," Mikulski said in a statement. "A good dealmust block all pathways to a bomb," she added.
202-224-2621: Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.)
202-224-5274: Sen. Bill Nelson (Fla.) — "First thing is to not tear down this agreement before the ink is even dry, before we even read it."
202-224-6221: Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.) — "I will be reviewing the agreement in great detail to ensure that in includes the dismemberment of Iran's nuclear weapons-related infrastructure, full disclosure fromIran on nuclear activities, and enhanced oversight and inspections of Iranian facilities, as well as reinstatement of sanctions if Iran backs out of the deal," said Peters in a statement.
202-224-6542: Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.) — "Over the coming days, I intend to go through this agreement with a fine-tooth comb, speak with administration officials, and hear from experts on all sides," said the No. 3 Democrat in the Senate.
202-224-2841: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) — "My support for this deal hinges on whether we can verify that Iran's paths to obtaining a nuclear weapon are thoroughly blocked."
202-224-4822: Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.)
202-224-2644: Sen. Jon Tester (Mont.) — "The world will be a safer place for the United States and our allies if we can keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon," said Tester in a statement." But the details matter, especially when ensuring Iran's compliance with the deal. I am reviewing this proposal to make sure this agreement can deliver on its promise."
202-224-2023: Sen. Mark Warner (Va.) — Warner is reviewing the deal with "the utmost attention to detail."
202-224-2921: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) — Whitehouse said the administration deserves "tremendous credit" for pursuing diplomacy, but he is still reviewing the terms.
202-224-5244: Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.) — "Right now, for me, more questions than answers, that's why I'm going to take the time," said Wyden at a town hall meeting on July 18.
REPUBLICANS – NO (22)
202-224-3324: Sen. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) — "We need to require them to dismantle their program. ... What we will have here is more proliferation in the Middle East," she tweeted.
202-224-5721: Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.) — "This is a bad deal for the United States and one that will embolden our adversaries and jeopardize the security of our allies," Blunt said in a statement. "The stated goal of the negotiations was to ensure Iran never develops the capability to produce a nuclear weapon, yet the president agreed to a deal that does the opposite."
202-224-4843: Sen. John Boozman (Ark.) — "We have a responsibility to ensure that Iran never achieves its goal of becoming a nuclear power. This deal give us little confidence that we will be successful in this regard," said Boozman.
202-224-2353: Sen. Tom Cotton (Ark.) — Cotton called the deal a "terrible, dangerous mistake" in an appearance on "Morning Joe" and vowed senators would kill the agreement.
202-224-5922: Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) — The 2016 presidential candidate called it a "staggeringly baddeal." "It is a fundamental betrayal of the security of the United States and of our closest allies, first and foremost Israel," he said.
202-224-2651: Sen. Steve Daines (Mont.) — "This agreement paves the way for Iran to further direct its resources in leading the way as the world's greatest state-sponsor of terrorism," he tweeted.
202-224-6551: Sen. Deb Fischer (Neb.) — "While the president argued that we 'give nothing up' by 'testing' whether this agreement will constrain Iran's nuclear ambitions, I disagree," Fischer said in a statement. "The international sanctions regime took years to assemble and remains the most effective method of imposing costs on Tehran for their destabilizing behavior."
202-224-5941: Sen. Cory Gardner (Colo.) — "Deal lifts the arms embargo against Iran, the world's largest state sponsor of terror. And the more detail we learn, the worse it seems," Gardner tweeted.
202-224-5972: Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) — "The deal is far worse than I ever dreamed it could be and will be a nightmare for the region, our national security and eventually the world at large," the 2016 contender told Bloomberg News.
202-224-3744: Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) — "I've always been skeptical about an agreement withIran that fails to fully dismantle its nuclear program. This is a country that sponsors terrorism and has a history of hiding its nuclear program from outside inspectors."
202-224-4721: Sen. James Inhofe (Okla.) — "I do not trust Iran who has been the leading state sponsor of terrorism for generations, and I have no faith that President Obama's deal will change the irrational and dangerous behaviors of Iran's government leaders," according to a statement.
202-224-3643: Sen. Johnny Isakson (Ga.) — "I will not be part of any agreement that allows the Iranians to develop a nuclear weapon that could harm the state of Israel, the country of the United States of America or any other peace-loving country in the world."
202-224-2541: Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) — "The comprehensive nuclear agreement announced today appears to further the flawed elements of April's interim agreement because the Obama administration approached these talks from a flawed perspective: reaching the best deal acceptable toIran, rather than actually advancing our national goal of ending Iran's nuclear program," said the majority leader.
202-224-4343: Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) — "The proposed agreement with Iran is unacceptable and I will vote against the agreement," the 2016 contender tweeted.
202-224-2752: Sen. Jim Risch (Idaho) — "This deal falls disastrously short of what the Obama Administration originally promised and gives the Iranian government what it desires," Risch said in a statement. "The West will have to live with a nuclear Iran and will abandon our closest ally, Israel, under this horribly flawed agreement."
202-224-3041: Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) — "I expect that a significant majority in Congress will share my skepticism of this agreement and vote it down," said the 2016 contender.
202-224-4224: Sen. Ben Sasse (Neb.) — "Sadly, the Administration just lit the fuse for a nuclear arms race in the Middle East," Sasse said in a statement. "We all know Iran's neighbors will not sit idly as the world's largest state-sponsor of terror becomes a nuclear-threshold state."
202-224-6121: Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) — "It's hard to make a good deal with bad actors, and this #IranDeal leads us down a dangerous path," Scott tweeted.
202-224-5744: Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.) — "Well I think it's a disaster," Shelby told an Alabama TV station WVTM. "Ultimately it was a bad deal. ...If Putin's for it, why would we be for it?"
202-224-3004: Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska) — "Principal objective of Iran negotiations was to keep Iranfrom obtaining a nuclear weapon. This #IranDeal does NOT do that," he tweeted.
202-224-6342: Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) — The freshman senator tweeted his concerns: "Democrats & Republicans share grave concerns over the bad #IranDeal & Congress has a responsibility to do everything it can to stop it."
202-224-4623: Sen. David Vitter (La.) – Vitter tweeted, "I think this #Iran agreement is a really, really bad deal for America, for Israel, and for freedom."
REPUBLICANS – LEANING NO (28)
202-224-4944: Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) — "I am very skeptical, but I will carefully review this complex agreement," Alexander said in a statement.
202-224-6441: Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.) — Barrasso pledged "a robust debate to make sure thisdeal is centered on protecting Americans — not the president's legacy."
202-224-3154: Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.) — "I have deep concerns about the President's Iranian nucleardeal and anticipate a thorough Congressional review of the agreement. Several Americans are currently held in Iran, and the regime continues to be the largest supporter of terrorism in the world."
202-224-5824: Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.) — "No deal is better than a bad deal. If it jeopardizes American security and global stability in any way, Congress cannot support."
202-224-5623: Sen. Dan Coats (Ind.) — "If this proposed deal fails in any important respect, Congress must reject it. We then can enact more vigorous sanctions to persuade the Iranian leaders to reconsider their positions or persuade the Iranian people to reconsider their leaders."
202-224-5054: Sen. Thad Cochran (Miss.) — In a statement, he said he would look closely at the deal, but is "skeptical whether the agreement reached by the Obama administration is truly verifiable and enforceable."
202-224-2523: Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) — "While I will withhold judgment until more details are provided by the Administration, the answers to these and other serious concerns will determine whether or not I can support the final agreement," she said in a statement.
202-224-3344: Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.) — The chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee said thedeal provides a "pathway" for Iran to get nuclear weapons at a hearing with Kerry on July 23rd. He also told administration officials they had ignored serious questions from lawmakers. "You have turned Iran to being a pariah, to now Congress being a pariah," he said.
202-224-2934: Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) — "We will now put this deal under the microscope on behalf of the American people, and if it jeopardizes our national security interests, Congress may have no choice but to vote it down."
202-224-6142: Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho) — "U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo's spokesman criticized the Obama administration's deal with Iran this morning, saying it both lets Iran build a nuclear weapon and doesn't do anything to help Iranian-American pastor and former Boise resident Saeed Abedini, who has been imprisoned in Iran since 2012," according to Magicvalley.com.
202-224-3254: Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa) — "While I am still reviewing the details, I have very serious concerns that this agreement concedes too much to Iran and will ultimately strengthen the pathway forIran to achieve a nuclear weapon," she said, according to a statement. "The bottom line, Iran must never be allowed to develop a single nuclear weapon — not now or at any point in the future."
202-224-5251: Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah) — "Any deal that removes sanctions without robust means of ensuring the regime's disarmament and compliance with its international obligations is worse than nodeal at all," said Hatch.
202-224-6244: Sen. Dean Heller (Nev.) — "For more than three decades, America has stood up againstIran and implemented sanctions enacted by Congress to prevent them from further developing a nuclear weapon," said Heller. He called for Congress to "act decisively in the review process."
202-224-2551: Sen. John Hoeven (N.D.) — "It is up to the Administration to make the case to the American people and Congress that this deal will protect our interests and make our nation safer," said Hoeven in a statement. "No deal is better than a bad deal, particularly one that releases billions of dollars to a country that is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world."
202-224-5323: Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.) — Johnson said he believed "the negotiation was lost from the start," but would review the deal before a "final judgment."
202-224-2854: Sen. Mark Kirk (Ill.) — "I am gravely concerned that the nuclear agreement will condemn the next generation to living with an Iranian nuclear power in the Persian Gulf and ultimately endanger the security of the United States, Israel, and other regional allies over the long term." Kirk faces a tough reelection bid in 2016 and is a top Dem target.
202-224-5754: Sen. James Lankford (Okla.) — Lankford tweeted his concerns about the deal. "Initial reports of #IranDeal suggest UN would have limited access to challenge inspections & arms embargo would end relatively quickly," he wrote.
202-224-5444: Sen. Mike Lee (Utah) — Lee said he is concerned "the immediate sanctions relief provided by this deal will only increase Iran's ability to finance its terrorist proxies."
202-224-2235: Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) — "While I will thoroughly review all of the details of this agreement, all signs point to this being a bad deal," said McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
202-224-6472: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.) — "Any agreement that risks the security of Americaand our allies will not advance our goal of ending Iran's nuclear program and is worse than no deal at all," she said in a statement.
202-224-6521: Sen. Jerry Moran (Kan.) — Moran said he would "carefully examine the terms of the proposal." "Given the grave consequences of a weak nuclear agreement with Iran, I share Americans' skepticism about this deal which is offered by the same president who called ISIS the 'JV team,' and has mismanaged American foreign policy across the Middle East," he said in a statement.
202-224-6665: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) — "At this juncture, I am skeptical," said Murkowski in a statement about the deal.
202-224-3521: Sen. David Perdue (Ga.) — "Right now, I remain extremely concerned that this dealdoes not go far enough to fully prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability and ensure anytime, anywhere inspections access of all nuclear and military sites."
202-224-4774: Sen. Pat Roberts (Kan.) — "It's imperative that Congress cautiously reviews this dealand ensures that it holds the Iranians accountable so that the world doesn't become an even more dangerous place for the U.S. and our allies," Roberts said in a statement. "That's the standard by which I will judge the agreement when all of the details are submitted to Congress."
202-224-5842: Sen. Mike Rounds (S.D.) — "I've said all along that anything short of stopping the Iranians from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon is unacceptable, said Rounds in a statement. He added that so far "it appears this deal not only fails to meet this essential goal, it emboldens the Iranians."
202-224-2321: Sen. John Thune (S.D.) — "While I'm still reviewing the intricacies of the deal, right now I'm deeply skeptical this agreement will prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," Thune said on the Senate floor. "The Obama administration appears to have capitulated almost every red line that it established at the outset."
202-224-4254: Sen. Pat Toomey (Pa.) — "Preliminarily, I have deep concerns that this deal will provide hundreds of billions of dollars to an untrustworthy Iranian regime's support for terrorism," Toomey said in a statement.
202-224-6253: Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.) — "Ultimately, preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon should be our top priority. I am deeply concerned that this arrangement does not achieve that vital national security goal."
REPUBLICANS UNCLEAR/UNDECIDED (4)
202-224-4521: Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) — "Look forward to details on access to sites, timing on sanctions relief, remedies for non-compliance, etc," Flake tweeted. Flake has been an ally of the administration on Cuba policy.
202-224-3353: Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio) — "Congress has a responsibility to carefully review the agreement to ensure it is in the best interests of our national security," said Portman.
202-224-4124: Sen. Jeff Sessions (Ala.)
202-224-3424: Sen. Mike Enzi (Wyo.)
Robin Ticker
Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com
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