Oregon lawmakers react: Walden critical, Merkley cautious

Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement Tuesday after the Obama Administration announced it had reached a nuclear deal with Iran:

“The regime in Iran exports terror around the globe, threatens the security of the United States and our ally Israel, and continues to relentlessly pursue the world’s worst weapons. It seems that the Obama Administration has decided to reward that bad behavior with permanent benefits in exchange for a temporary delay in their nuclear program. This is unacceptable for our safety and security.

“The deal would give Iran billions in sanctions relief—money that could be used to finance more terror and weapons development that threatens our safety. And it would remove restrictions on Iran’s missile and weapons programs, allowing them to continue work on intercontinental ballistic missiles that could hit the United States.

“While Congress must carefully review the details of this agreement, I will do all I can to stop a bad deal that threatens the safety of our troops, our allies, and the American people.”

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., released the following statement on the comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran:

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in the effort to preclude Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon. It is essential for the surety of the United States and for our allies, that this agreement foreclose every possible path that Iran might have to a nuclear weapon. The devil is in the details. I will be deeply engaged in examining the details in preparation for the upcoming review by Congress.”