U.S. Senate Candidate Andrea Zopp Calls on Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth
to Support Iran Deal
Zopp sends letter encouraging Duckworth to weigh in on JCPOA
Last month, Andrea Zopp declared her support for President Obama’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and asked the Illinois Congressional Delegation to do the same. Understanding where Illinois leaders stand on vital issues like the Iran deal is of critical importance, and after a month of silence, Ms. Zopp has sent a letter directly to Congresswoman Duckworth calling on her to make a decision. Ms. Zopp and countless other Democratic leaders have declared their stance in support of the JCPOA, and Ms. Zopp is now asking Congresswoman Duckworth to do the same.
Andrea Zopp:
Dear Congresswoman Duckworth,
Last month I wrote to you and shared why I stand with President Obama and many political and religious leaders, and national security experts in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement forged between the United States, our P5+1 partners and Iran to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. In that letter I also urged you to support this deal that, I believe has the fundamental elements – restrictions that block Iran’s pathway to a nuclear weapon, verification, and strong consequences for violations – that provide greater safety and security for the United States and our global allies.
As of today, you have yet to publicly state whether or not you will support the JCPOA. You have avoided the question in the media and, while many of your Democratic allies have made firm declarations in support of the plan, you have been virtually silent. The world needs to know that Democrats stand with President Obama in working to secure a safer and more peaceful Middle East and world. To date, you have dodged the question and I urge you to demonstrate your leadership now and join me and many other Democrats in supporting the deal.
As I shared in my letter to you in August, while there are risks in working with a historically untrustworthy counter party, I believe that with the growing strains in the existing sanctions regime, and Iran’s increasing proximity to a nuclear weapon despite the existing sanctions, the diplomatic approach represented by the JCPOA is the best path to ensuring the security of the United States and our global allies in the Middle East and the world. And as you know, the detractors of this plan have no viable alternative.
I visited Israel and have witnessed first-hand the powerful and unbreakable bond between the U.S. and our longtime ally. I am in full support of ensuring that the U.S. commitment to the safety and security of Israel remains ironclad and it remains the firm policy of the United States, both during the term of the JCPOA and beyond that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.
I urge you to join me and many of your Democratic colleagues on Capitol Hill and make it clear how you plan to vote on this historic and necessary plan.
Sincerely,
Andrea Zopp
U.S. Senate Candidate