Transparency is Nonnegotiable

Floor Speech

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Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, the American people are rightfully concerned about the ambiguity of the Biden Administration's ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Are these negotiations being conducted in good faith? What concessions are being made? How would this deal impact America's standing within the international community and our ally, Israel?

These are precisely the questions that are being asked, and yet, the only response coming from the administration is the sound of crickets chirping. The same can be said for Congress.

The Biden administration has already expressed its intent to keep Congress in the dark about this potential nuclear deal. And according to new reporting, the Biden administration is trying to hide the facts on their ongoing negotiations with Iran until after the midterm elections to avoid scrutiny.

Here is the thing, Madam Speaker, the administration is already required to submit information to Congress pursuant to the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act or INARA.

INARA requires that the administration keep Congress fully and currently informed of any new or amended agreement with Iran. Those words couldn't be any clearer.

In 2015, many Members on the opposite side of the aisle voted for INARA, and yet, we have heard nothing but crickets from them about holding this administration accountable.

If INARA had not passed 7 years ago, Congress could have found itself completely blind to former President Obama's deal with Iran at the time.

Madam Speaker, 400 Members of the House, along with 98 senators voted to force President Obama to submit his deal to Congress for Congressional review. Given the profound silence as of late on these ongoing negotiations, are we to believe that good governance and effective oversight are no longer tenets of this body?

Madam Speaker, we cannot let accountability and transparency become relics of a bygone era. That is why I have introduced H. Res. 1266 alongside my colleague from South Carolina, Representative Joe Wilson.

This resolution of inquiry requests that President Biden turn over to the House copies of documents, memos, and other communications related to any initiative or negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program.

It could also expose any side agreements--such as the episode of the Obama administration leaving cash on a tarmac in 2016--that are offered as part of negotiations with Iran.

Today, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs will be marking up my legislation, and the American people will find out who still supports increased transparency and oversight and who does not.

Congress must do its job and exercise its explicit oversight authorities to hold this administration accountable. If this body upheld its commitment to good governance and effective oversight 7 years ago, we should certainly do the same now. There is no excuse not to.

Congress should not be sitting back and kicking its feet up while there is work to be done.

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