Newhouse says Iran deal won’t bring U.S. closer to peace

Congressman Dan Newhouse is likely to vote against the Iran nuclear deal, he said Tuesday.

“I guess there would have to be something very dramatic to change my mind at this point,” the Sunnyside Republican told the Tri-City Herald’s editorial board. “I’m not seeing that this is going to actually make the world a safer place. I think we can get a better deal, and we should make every effort to do that.”

The agreement that seeks to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions is opposed by Congressional Republicans, according to The Associated Press.

But Democrats are building support in both Houses that they hope will prevent Republicans from being able to override President Obama’s veto of their legislation aimed at blocking the deal.

Newhouse said he has read the agreement and heard the opinions of Secretary of State John Kerry, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He recently joined two dozen other Congress members on a trip to Israel.

He said he has tried to keep an open mind about it.

“I want peace in the world as much as anybody, but, so far, I don’t see that it gets us there,” he said.

Iran would be on track to pursue a nuclear weapon within 12 years even if it follows the agreement, Newhouse said.

“The lifting of the sanctions before they actually perform will free up a lot of cash, I’m concerned about what they may do with that being the world’s No. 1 sponsor of state terror,” he said.

Newhouse wishes that international agreements like this were carried out in a less partisan manner.

“It shouldn’t be a partisan thing,” he said. “If it’s a good deal, it’s a good deal. It’s not because you’re favorite guy negotiated it.”

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 7:25 PM with the headline "Newhouse says Iran deal won’t bring U.S. closer to peace."