{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20131207204708/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/press-release/fitzpatrick-iran-agreement-questionable-policy", "Fitzpatrick: Iran Agreement is Questionable Policy", "2013-11-25", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Michael Fitzpatrick", "F000451", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "LANGHORNE, PA \u2013 Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) released the following statement Monday regarding an agreement reached between the P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China) and the Government of Iran in an attempt to slow the progress of Iran's nuclear program:\n \u201cI am deeply concerned in the direction the Obama Administration is taking with respect to Iran. They have proven time and again to be a state sponsor of terrorism with aims that run counter to our interests.\u00a0\nClearly, the economic sanctions we are placing on Iran are working as it forced them to open talks out of desperation. The Administration chose to change course on a plan that was working.\u00a0 If we let up on the pressure and allow Iran to rebuild their economy, who knows what an empowered and legitimized Iran will do in the future.\u00a0\nIranian leaders have been spewing hateful, vitriolic language towards the United States, Israel and the Jewish people for years. Just recently, Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described Israel as \u2018the rabid dog of the region.\u2019 A government that makes those kinds of statements cannot be trusted to comply with this new deal.\nRegardless of this announcement, I remain fully committed to our friend and ally, Israel. I will continue to work with my Congressional colleagues in both parties to ensure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon, and ensure that our vital national security interests are protected.\u201d\n \nThe initial, six month deal includes several limits on Iran's nuclear program. In return, as part of this first step, the P5+1 will provide relief to Iran. Specifically, it will not impose new nuclear-related sanctions for six months, suspend certain sanctions on gold and precious metals, Iran\u2019s auto sector, petrochemical exports, and\u00a0 allow purchases of Iranian oil to remain at their currently significantly reduced levels.\nFitzpatrick is a co-sponsor and supporter of the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act [H.R. 850] which passed the House of Representatives by a overwhelming bi-partisan 400-20 vote this summer. The Nuclear Iran Prevention Act would strengthen enforcement of current U.S. sanctions on Iran, expand sanctions targeting Iran's human rights violations, and for the first time, specifically authorize the President to impose sanctions on any entity that maintains significant commercial ties to Iran. Although the Senate has yet to take up the bill, many Senators are now pledging their support for increased sanctions on Iran, following the President\u2019s announcement.\nFurthermore, Fitzpatrick introduced House Concurrent Resolution 139 late last year with Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) which condemned former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran for addressing the United Nations on Yom Kippur, the holiest of Jewish holidays. The measure attracted 13 bipartisan cosponsors and was presented in both the House and Senate.\n###\u00a0\nCongressman Mike Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania\u2019s 8th\u00a0district which includes all of Bucks County as well as a portion of Montgomery County. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131207204708/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/press-release/fitzpatrick-iran-agreement-questionable-policy"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6166740097105503, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}