Take Action for Peace with Iran: Tell Your Senators to Vote NO on More Sanctions

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is among more than 60 organizations that signed a letter to the U.S. Senate urging members not to support the “Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013” (S. 1881). The letter warns that new sanctions could “critically endanger” possibility of a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear standoff with Iran. “The Joint Plan of Action signed between the P5+1 and Iran in November boosts American and regional security by freezing and rolling back Iran’s nuclear program for the first time in nearly a decade,” the letter points out. “The agreement also institutes unprecedented transparency for international inspectors, including daily inspection of Iran’s enrichment facilities.” Click here for the full text: http://officeofpublicwitness.blogspot.com/2014/01/62-orga... The U.S. and Iran have made huge diplomatic strides in recent weeks. But the historic deal to keep Iran’s nuclear energy program focused on peaceful ends could fail if the Senate votes for new sanctions on Iran while U.S. diplomats are negotiating the agreement. Urge your senators to vote “no” on S. 1881 calling for new sanctions on Iran.  Click here to send a message. This is a critical period for negotiations—and a time when new sanctions would be particularly damaging. The White House, Senate leaders and a bipartisan group that includes a former U.S. ambassador to Israel have all warned of the consequences of these new sanctions on U.S.-Iran negotiations. The White House says that passing this bill greatly increases the chances that the U.S. will take military action against Iran and that President Obama will veto the legislation if it comes to his desk. Now sponsors of the Iran sanctions bill are lobbying for a veto-proof majority of 67 senators to support the bill, so that Congress could potentially override the president's veto. Every Senate vote is critical. Please ask your senators to vote “no” on new Iran sanctions legislation.  Click here to send a message today! Even with these warnings, 49 senators have cosponsored the legislation. But even these senators can still be persuaded that this is the wrong time to hold a vote on new Iran sanctions. Please contact both your senators today.  Click here to send a message!