Here’s a statement on the Iran deal from Rep. Don Beyer. Also, see the statement from Sen. Tim Kaine on the “flip.” Personally, my initial reaction to this deal is that we all need to look at the fine print, but that in general it’s the “least bad” option when it comes to Iran, given that the second “least bad” option was basically endless bombing/war/sanctions (the latter would eventually fall apart, as the international coalition would splinter) to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Having said that, of course I don’t trust Iran’s horrendous, human-rights-abusing, terrorism-sponsoring, expansionistic theocratic dictatorship in any way, but unless anyone has a better idea regarding how to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons, I really don’t feel like listening to hysterics from the usual suspects – John McCain, Linsdey Graham, Bibi Netanyahu, etc. I’d also note that the Bush administration completely failed to head off Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapons program in 8 years of their administration, and that yet again a Democratic administration appears to have achieved what a Republican administration couldn’t. Shocker, eh? 😉

July 14, 2015 (Washington, DC) – Congressman Don Beyer, former Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, applauded the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated by the Obama Administration’s and the P5+1 Group with Iran over its nuclear program:

“This is an historic accomplishment for President Obama, Secretary Kerry, the American negotiators, and the diplomatic process to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” said Rep. Beyer. “I commend our diplomats for skillfully averting a global showdown and blocking Iran’s efforts to obtain the bomb.”

Today’s deal, announced by Secretary Kerry this morning, is in line with the April 2nd framework agreed to in Lausanne and imposes significant obstacles blocking Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon in exchange for sanctions relief, dependent on critical nonproliferation commitments.

Beyer continued: “We cannot allow a nuclear Iran and this deal will serve as a lasting deterrent to keep the United States out of another devastating war in the Middle East.  Now I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure this deal goes forward unhindered.”

As Ambassador to Switzerland, Rep. Beyer hosted negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 countries and Germany in Switzerland, including the meeting in November 2013 during which the six countries concluded the primary agreement with Iran, known as the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA).

KAINE STATEMENT ON IRAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the Iran nuclear deal:

“I applaud the U.S. negotiating team for its hard work to find a diplomatic solution to peacefully limit Iran’s nuclear program.  A nation’s commitment to diplomacy is every bit as important as its commitment to military strength.  Now that the negotiations have concluded, Congress must give the deal a thorough and independent review to ensure it cuts off all of Iran’s pathways to a nuclear weapon.

“One of the key reasons I co-authored the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, even over the initial objections of many in my party and the Administration, was to provide Congress a clear and constructive way to review a final nuclear deal.  Given that the deal largely hinges on what Iran must do to get relief from sanctions imposed by Congress, the American public deserves to have its elected representatives review any final deal to ensure it is in our national security interest. In the days and weeks ahead, I look forward to discussing the terms of the agreement in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and examining the details before making a decision to either approve or disapprove the deal, which will provide Iran significant relief from economic sanctions. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to analyze this deal in the days and weeks ahead.”

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DECLARACIONES DE KAINE SOBRE EL ACUERDO NUCLEAR CON IRÁN

WASHINGTON, D.C. – El Senador Tim Kaine, miembro del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado, hizo hoy las siguientes declaraciones sobre el acuerdo nuclear con Irán:

“Felicito a los negociadores estadounidenses por sus esfuerzos para encontrar una solución diplomática que limite pacíficamente el programa nuclear iraní. El compromiso de un país a la diplomacia es igual de importante que su compromiso al uso de su poder militar. Ahora que las negociaciones han concluido, el Congreso debe analizar el acuerdo cuidadosamente y de manera independiente para asegurar que elimine todos caminos que permitan que Irán obtenga un arma nuclear.

“Una de las razones por las que copatrociné el Proyecto de Ley para la Revisión del Acuerdo Nuclear con Irán, a pesar de las objeciones iniciales de mi partido y la Administración, era para asegurar que el Congreso tuviera una manera clara y constructiva de analizar un acuerdo nuclear final. Ya que el acuerdo dicta lo que Irán debe de hacer para que se le levanten las sanciones impuestas por el Congreso,  el pueblo estadounidense merece que sus representantes elegidos analicen cualquier acuerdo final y aseguren que el acuerdo beneficie nuestra seguridad nacional. En los próximos días y semanas, espero hablar sobre las condiciones del acuerdo en el comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado y examinar los detalles antes de tomar la decisión de aprobar o rechazar el acuerdo que aliviaría a Irán de las sanciones económicas. Espero trabajar con mis colegas en el Senado para analizar este acuerdo en los próximos días y semanas.”

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, July 14. Also check out the video of President Obama delivering a statement  (at 7 am ET) on the Iran nuclear program negotiations.

*Deal reached with Iran over its nuclear program (“The historic deal will end decades of economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for sharp restrictions on its nuclear program, according to diplomats. The deal follows more than a year and a half of negotiations between Iran and the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany.”)

*Pluto flyby LIVE: Nasa awaits first pictures of dwarf planet from New Horizons spacecraft

*Hillary’s big speech: Light on details, but a generous dollop of progressive themes

*Walker Gives GOP Presidential Field a New Anti-Climate Leader (Sociopath.)

*News about the imminent ‘mini ice age’ is trending – but it’s not true (My god, fossil fuel tools will say ANYTHING to deny, delay, prevent taking action, etc.)

*Pentagon Moves to Allow Transgender People to Serve Openly in the Military (Good to see. And as an added bonus — EW Jackson has a sad! LOL)

*Jeb Bush suffers from Foot in Mitt Disease

*Scott Walker’s white man problem: His narrow appeal is his Achilles heel (“The GOP loves Scott Walker because he’s an uncompromising conservative, but a diverse national electorate might not”)

*4 disastrous things Scott Walker has done to Wisconsin – and would do to America

*Made in Wisconsin (“Scott Walker thinks being governor will make him a great president. Actually, that’s unlikely.”)

*Editorial: Appeals court upholds ruling recognizing EPA’s enforcement authority on Bay

*Surplus masks problem math in state budget (“… it’s worth noting that Virginia arrived at such a savings by pulling heavily from that rainy day fund, relying on gimmicks – forcing businesses to prepay a month’s worth of sales taxes, for example – and slashing state spending plans just last year to cope with a projected two-year, $2.4 billion shortfall. The strategy recycled tactics used under previous governors.”)

*Transportation Sec. Foxx calls meeting with region’s top officials regarding Metro

*Lopez: The health of democracy in Virginia

*In Virginia, a night in your childhood bedroom could count as a gift (Is this seriously trying to say that ethics rules are too tight in Virginia? I’m confused, as the exact opposite is the case.)

*McAuliffe touts economy; Virginia state workers will get 2 percent raises

*Lobbyists spend less on lawmakers in wake of McDonnell trial

*VRS investment earnings lag target for fiscal year at 4.6 percent

*Eight Richmond-area residents charged in New York City cigarette trafficking case (Virginia needs to crank up its cigarette tax.)

*McAuliffe touts 100 new jobs coming to Orange

*D.C. area forecast: Cloudy with a chance of rain today and Wednesday, nicer by Thursday

Any further questions?

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Monday, July 13. Oh, and check out the latest insanity from the Virginia GOP’s 2013 Lt. Governor nominee, including these unhinged ravings and his anti-LGBT conference call with a fellow extremist tomorrow at noon (Number: (712) 432-0900; Passcode: 199176#). Again, I can’t emphasize enough that Virginia Republicans actually nominated this lunatic, along with fellow right-wing nutjobs Ken Cuccinelli and Mark “Criminalize Miscarriages” Obenshain. What does this say about the Virginia GOP, currently led by a guy who likes to make anti-Semitic “jokes?”

*European leaders agree on rescue plan for Greece (“The deal was reached after a grueling 17-hour bargaining session in Brussels that will be remembered as one of the most bruising diplomatic standoffs in European Union history.”)

*Deal in Iran talks imminent (“Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Vienna, a strong indication that the six world powers negotiating with Iran – the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany – are preparing to make a major announcement.”)

*The argument against common-sense gun control crumbles

*Hillary Clinton’s economic bet

*Jim Webb: Democratic Party has ‘moved way far to the left’ (That is both false, crazy, and internally contradictory, since Webb himself claims to be an economic populist and social libertarian. I’m honestly starting to conclude that Webb just says whatever, no rhyme or reason to it other than promoting himself. Blech.)

*Governor to announce $553 million Virginia budget surplus (“Almost a year after revising Virginia’s budget forecast downward to project a $2.4 billion shortfall, Gov. Terry McAuliffe today will announce a record revenue surplus for the fiscal year that ended June 30, according to sources in the administration and General Assembly.”)

*Presidential candidates gear up for efforts to be included in Va. primary (“Each of the 14 Republicans and five Democrats in the race have to collect at least 5,000 signatures of registered voters by Dec. 10 – with state election officials recommending they gather 7,500 to 10,000 to guard against invalid signatures… At least 200 voters from each of the state’s 11 congressional districts must sign a petitions, with election officials suggesting at least 300.”)

*Scott Walker Is Running for President. Here’s What You Should Know About Him. (“Walker thinks implementing mandatory ultrasounds for women considering abortion is ‘just a cool thing.'”)

*The End of the 2016 Election Is Closer Than You Think (“The campaign might be lost even before the GOP picks a nominee.”)

*Krugman: The Laziness Dogma (“Americans work longer hours than their counterparts in just about every other wealthy country…But Jeb Bush – who is still attempting to justify his ludicrous claim that he can double our rate of economic growth – says that Americans ‘need to work longer hours and through their productivity gain more income for their families.'”)

*Lost in the Immigration Frenzy (“A crime sets off a wave of finger-pointing, but there are good reasons for local authorities to avoid the role of immigration enforcers.”)

*Virginia’s Rep. Barbara Comstock has raised $1 million for reelection

*Kaine and Warner: Unfair Chinese trade practices are hurting Salem workers

*Max Scherzer throws another gem, and Nats beat O’s to cruise into all-star break

*D.C. area forecast: Relentless rains – Shower chances many days this week