Congressmen speak out against nuclear deal with Iran

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Some Indiana Congressmen are among those criticizing the Obama Administration for a nuclear weapons agreement with Iran.

Rep. Luke Messer (R-6th District) is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee who was quick to speak out against the nuclear deal with Iran.

"I think it's the wrong approach," he said. "I think we'd be far better off to keep the sanctions strong until Iran declares that it will give up its nuclear program."

The six-month deal reduces sanctions on Iran in exchange for a promise to destroy weapons grade uranium while permitting daily access to inspectors. The Obama Administration calls it a "first step."

"If you say it's peaceful, prove it's peaceful," said Secretary of State John Kerry, "and here are the things you need to do to prove it."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls it a historic mistake.

"This agreement," he said, "has made the world a much more dangerous place."

That's what concerns Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-3rd District.)

"Our goal here should be to put Iran in a box," he said, "and not put Israel in a box because if Iran has nuclear capabilities Israel is threatened."

And Congressman Messer says his opinion is informed by a face-to-face meeting he and Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R-5th District) had with Netanyahu in Israel in August.

"We've got a 30-year track record with Iran not keeping their promises and I'm skeptical whether they'll do it now," Messer said.

Both Messer and Stutzman were scheduled to be in attendance Monday night at an Indianapolis event sponsored by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee - a group known as America's pro-Israel lobby. It's the same organization that paid for the trip to Israel for Messer and Brooks.