Hikind: Americans Deserve to Watch Senate Publicly Vote Up-or-Down on Contentious Iran Deal

In light of reports circulating this week that Senate Minority Leader Senator Harry Reid might block an up-or-down vote on the Iran deal, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is calling on the Senate to go on the record with individual votes. “This is a defining moment in our history and not permitting a vote would be morally corrupt,” said Hikind. Hikind, who has been a vocal opponent of the Iran deal, expressed his views in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), urging her and Congressional colleagues to do everything possible to permit the individual votes, which he believes would be in the public interest given heated debates on the issue in the past few months.

In his letter, Hikind wrote that if the reports of a filibuster are true, it “would be an absolute disgrace” and “an insult to all Americans, regardless of party affiliation.” Hikind continued, “Just this week, Pew Research released its latest poll, which found that support for the Iran nuclear agreement among Americans—of every demographic group and party—continues to fall. Only 21% support this deal. Since mid-July, the debate surrounding the Iran deal has dominated the news and, as you very well know, has been contentious and impassioned from all sides. Therefore, I urge you to ensure that the Iran deal receives the proper consideration and debate—with votes taking place on the record.

Hikind noted that, “the Iran deal is perhaps the most critical foreign policy issue of our time. Everyone has acknowledged that for better or for worse this deal will have lasting repercussions, affecting the lives of our children and grandchildren. Americans deserve to watch their representatives in Congress vote and debate on this critical issue.”

Click here for a copy of the letter.

The full text of the letter follows.

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Dear Senator Gillibrand,

There are reports of possible plans by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid to prevent an up-or-down vote on the Iran nuclear agreement. If true, this would be an absolute disgrace. The Iran deal is perhaps the most critical foreign policy issue of our time. Everyone has acknowledged that for better, or for worse, this deal will have lasting repercussions, affecting the lives of our children and grandchildren. Americans deserve to watch their representatives in Congress vote and debate this critical issue.

A filibuster against a Resolution of Disapproval would be an insult to all Americans, regardless of party affiliation. Just this week, Pew Research released its latest poll, which found that support for the Iran nuclear agreement among Americans—of every demographic group and party—continues to fall. Only 21% support this deal. Since mid-July, the debate surrounding the Iran deal has dominated the news and, as you very well know, has been contentious and impassioned from all sides. Therefore, I urge you to ensure that the Iran deal receives the proper consideration and debate, with votes taking place on the record.

Senators must have the opportunity to take a public position and vote yes or no on whether they disapprove of the nuclear deal with Iran. This is the time for you and your colleagues to do the right thing and allow that to happen for the public’s interest. This is a defining moment in our history and not permitting a vote would be morally corrupt.

Sincerely,
 
Dov Hikind
Member of Assembly

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