DeLauro Statement Following 8-Year Anniversary of Trump Exiting Iran Nuclear Deal

WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued a statement following the eighth anniversary of President Trump withdrawing the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, which was in effect from 2016 through 2018:

"President Trump's decision to end participation in the JCPOA, which limited Iranian enrichment to below the threshold for a nuclear weapon and created the world's most intensive nuclear inspections regime, was the precursor for his current disastrous war. By walking away from this functioning agreement, he gave up critical leverage over the Iranian regime and enabled them to amass a stockpile of highly enriched uranium, making the regime more dangerous and more confident than ever.

"This failure of diplomacy has left President Trump with no good options to end the current war. He has failed to change the Iranian regime, failed to eliminate Iran's uranium stockpile, and failed to convince the American people that this war is worth fighting. He has also caused the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven up gas prices to over $4.50 a gallon in the United States, and alienated our closest allies. Eight years later, we are all suffering the consequences of President Trump's reckless and short-sighted decision to leave the JCPOA."