“The only thing Patrick Murphy is dodging more than debates is an explanation for why he continues to support President Obama’s dangerous nuclear deal with Iran. For five weeks now, Patrick Murphy has refused to tell Florida voters whether he still stands by a deal that sent more than $400 million to Iran as ransom. Murphy’s liberal foreign policy views are weakening our national security, and they don’t work for Florida.” – Michael Ahrens, Rubio spokesman
The U.S. State Department admitted that the $400 million payment to Iran was contingent on the release of American prisoners
The State Department said that the $400 million payment to Iran was contingent on the release of American prisoners. “The State Department says a $400 million cash payment to Iran was contingent on the release of American prisoners. Spokesman John Kirby says negotiations over the United States’ returning Iranian money from a decades-old account was conducted separately from the prisoner talks. But he says the U.S. withheld delivery of the cash as leverage until the U.S. citizens had left Iran. Both events occurred Jan. 17.” (Bradley Klapper, “US Says $400M Payment Was Contingent On Release Of Prisoners,” The Associated Press, 8/18/16)
When asked about the $400 million payment to Iran, Murphy gave a weak one-word answer
VIDEO: When pressed on the Obama administration’s ransom payment to Iran, Murphy gave only a one-word response: “concerning.” QUESTION: “What are your thoughts on the $400 million news that broke yesterday in payments to Iran that coincided with some hostages being released? Some critics are calling essentially a ‘random payment.’ What are your thoughts on that news that broke this morning?” MURPHY: “Concerning, quite frankly. I’m on the House Intelligence Committee and I’m looking forward to getting back to Washington to see – learning more about this, and you know, seeing that investigation and learning more about this.” QUESTION: “When you say ‘concerned’ you mean concerned that it could have perhaps that you would have been opposed to any ransom payment?” MURPHY: “I want to learn more about it.” (Patrick Murphy, Remarks, Orlando, FL, 8/4/16)
Murphy touts his support the Iran nuclear deal
In August 2015, Murphy announced his support for the nuclear deal with Iran. “Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Jupiter, a 2016 Senate candidate who said Friday he was ‘skeptical’ of President Barack Obama‘s nuclear deal with Iran, announced today that he supports the agreement. ‘This has been the toughest decision of my time in Congress,’ Murphy said in a statement released this afternoon. ‘The deal on my desk is flawed, but after searching my own soul and conscience, I have decided I will support this agreement as the best available option to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon,’ Murphy said.” (The Palm Beach Post, 8/31/15)
Murphy touted that he “stood with the president” by supporting the Iran deal. “Hoping to revive their party into an effective force in county politics, Hillsborough County Democrats held what leaders called a record-breaking fundraiser Saturday night with a local favorite as speaker, U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Patrick Murphy. A liberal firebrand known for inflammatory rhetoric, Grayson sharply criticizes Murphy on the stump while the more conservative Murphy uses a softer tone. [Murphy] began his speech at the party’s Kennedy-King fundraising dinner noting that he ‘stood with the president’ by supporting the proposed nuclear arms limiting agreement with Iran. In the speech and an interview, Murphy sought to emphasize his commitment to Democratic values, suggesting he’s just as true a Democrat as Grayson.” (Tampa Bay Times, 9/12/15)
In September 2015, Murphy voted to approve the Iran nuclear deal. “Passage of the bill that would express Congress’ approval of the Iran nuclear agreement signed on July 14, 2015 between United States, Iran and five other nations.” (H R 3461, Roll Call Vote #493: Failed 162-269, R 0-244, D 162-25, 9/11/15, Murphy Voted Yea; CQ Summary, Accessed 6/26/16)
- -H.R. 3461 granted Congressional approval of the deal struck by President Obama regarding Iran’s nuclear program. b “The House on Friday rejected a resolution to approve the Iran nuclear deal, with the vote underscoring how controversial the accord has been with President Obama’s own party. While most Democrats voted to approve the nuclear bargain, 25 voted against it, creating a wedge that Republicans hope to use to their advantage in the 2016 elections.” (Christina Marcos, “House Rejects Obama’s Iran Deal,” The Hill’s Floor Action, 9/11/15)
Murphy has been a rubber stamp for President Obama’s dangerous foreign policy with Iran
In September 2015, Murphy opposed legislation that would have preventing President Obama from lifting sanctions against Iran. “Passage of the bill that would delay until Jan. 21, 2017, the authority of the president to waive, suspend, or reduce existing sanctions on Iran or on Iranian officials or individuals slated to be granted relief from sanctions under the Iran nuclear agreement.”(H R 3460, Roll Call Vote #494: Passed 247-186, R 245-0, D 2-186, 9/11/15, Murphy Voted Nay; CQ Summary, Accessed 6/26/16)
- -H.R. 3460 prevented President Obama from lifting sanctions against Iran. The measure would expire on president Obama’s successor’s first full day in office in January 2017. “The House on Friday rejected a resolution to approve the Iran nuclear deal, with the vote underscoring how controversial the accord has been with President Obama’s own party… After the resolution of approval failed, the House passed legislation 247-186 that would prevent Obama from lifting sanctions against Iran. That measure would expire on his successor’s first full day in office in January 2017.” (Christina Marcos, “House Rejects Obama’s Iran Deal,” The Hill’s Floor Action, 9/11/15)
In September 2015, Murphy voted against a resolution contending that President Obama failed to comply with Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. “The resolution provides that the president has failed to fully comply with the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (PL 114-17) and that the 60-day congressional review period established by that law therefore has not begun.” (H Res 411, Roll Call Vote #492: Passed 245-186, R 245-0, D 0-186, 9/10/15, Murphy Voted Nay; CQ Summary, Accessed 6/26/16)
- -H. Res. 411 contended that the President did not provide congress with all documents of the Iran nuclear deal, thereby violating the terms of the congressional review law. “The House passed a resolution Thursday contending that President Obama hasn’t provided Congress with all of the Iran deal documents, thereby violating the terms of the congressional review law. The party-line vote of 245-186 came a day after House GOP leaders recalibrated their strategy to reject the Iran nuclear deal following a conservative revolt.” (Cristina Marcos, “House Votes To Accuse Obama Of Withholding Iran Documents,” The Hill’s Floor Action, 9/10/15)
In October 2015, Murphy voted against the Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act.“Passage of a bill that would prohibit the president from waiving sanctions under the Iran Nuclear Agreement until Iran pays the legal terrorism-related judgment it owes. The president would be required to certify to Congress that the Iranian government has paid all outstanding judgments before Iran’s sanctions are lifted or its assets released.” (H R 3457, Roll Call Vote #533: Passed 251-173, R 241-0, D 10-173, 10/1/15, Murphy Voted Nay; CQ Summary, Accessed 6/26/16)
- –H.R. 3457 would “prevent President Obama from lifting any sanctions on Iran until the country pays court-ordered damages to American terror victims.” “The House passed legislation on Friday to prevent President Obama from lifting any sanctions on Iran until the country pays court-ordered damages to American terror victims. The vote of 251-173 comes after Capitol Hill Republicans were unable to override a veto threat earlier this month to reject the Iran nuclear deal.” (Cristina Marcos, “House Votes To Block Iran Sanctions Relief,” The Hill’s Floor Action, 10/1/15)
- -As of October 1, 2015, Iran owed about $43.5 billion in outstanding damages to American victims of Iranian terrorism. “U.S. courts have ordered Iran to compensate American terrorism victims who suffered in attacks linked to Tehran, such as the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut and the 1996 bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. Iran still owes about $43.5 billion in outstanding damages, according to the Congressional Research Service.” (Cristina Marcos, “House Votes To Block Iran Sanctions Relief,” The Hill’s Floor Action, 10/1/15)
On February 2, 2016, Murphy voted against H.R. 3662, the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. “Passage of the bill that would restrict the president’s ability to lift sanctions on Iranian and other financial institutions, as called for by the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, by requiring various certifications to Congress. Specifically, it would prohibit the president from removing the foreign financial institutions from the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control’s list of blocked nationals and persons until the president submits to Congress a certification that the institutions have not knowingly facilitated a significant transaction for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, a foreign terrorist organization or anyone sanctioned in connection with Iran’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic-missile programs.” (H.R. 3662, Roll Call Vote # 54: Passed 246-181, 2/2/16, Murphy Voted Nay; CQ Summary, Accessed 6/26/16)
- -H.R. 3662 would prevent the lifting of sanctions on Iran “unless it certifies they aren’t affiliated with terrorism or ballistic missile development.” “Legislation to prevent the Obama administration from lifting sanctions on Iranian entities unless it certifies they aren’t affiliated with terrorism or ballistic missile development technically already passed in the House last month. On Tuesday, the bill’s convenient place as the last vote in a lengthy series gave more lawmakers a chance to vote on it. It passed largely along party lines on a vote of 246-181. All but three Democrats opposed the measure.” (Cristina Marcos, “House Conducts Do-Over Of Iran Sanctions Vote,” The Hill, 2/2/16)
On July 13, 2016, Murphy voted against H.R. 5119, the No 2H2O Act. (H.R. 5119, Roll Call #441, Passed 249-176: R 239-2, D 10-174, Murphy Voted No, 7/13/16)
- -H.R. 5119 would prevent the U.S. from purchasing heavy water from Iran, a component of some nuclear reactors. “The House passed a bill Wednesday preventing the United States from purchasing heavy water — a component of some nuclear reactors — from Iran. The bill from Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) would stop the federal government from replicating purchases like the one it made in April, when the U.S. bought 32 tons of heavy water from Iran. The bill passed 249-176. Heavy water is a component of some nuclear reactors. One of its applications, however, is its potential for combining with uranium to produce weapons-grade plutonium. Iran, under the terms of the nuclear deal reached with the U.S. and others a year ago this week, is required to reduce its supply of heavy water. The U.S.’s purchase of the material from the country this year was designed to help Iran follow through with that aspect of the deal.” (Devin Henry, “House Approves Bill Blocking Nuclear Material Purchases From Iran,” The Hill, 7/13/16)
On July 14, 2016, Murphy voted against H.R. 5631, The Iran Accountability Act of 2016. (H.R. 5631, Roll Call #467, Passed 246-179: R 238-4, D 8-175, Murphy Voted No, 7/14/16)
- -H.R. 5631 would require “the president to impose sanctions on any official affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and anyone who has assisted development of Iran’s ballistic missile program or been involved with human rights abuses.” “One of the measures approved Thursday requires the president to impose sanctions on any official affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and anyone who has assisted development of Iran’s ballistic missile program or been involved with human rights abuses. ” (Cristina Marcos, “House Votes To Enhance Iran Sanctions,” The Hill, 7/14/16)
On July 14, 2016, Murphy voted against H.R. 4992, United States Financial System Protection Act of 2016. (H.R. 4992, Roll Call #478, Passed 246-181: R 240-3, D 6-178, Murphy Voted No, 7/14/16)
- -H.R. 4992 would enhance the existing policy preventing Iran from accessing money through the U.S. financial system. “The House passed legislation on Thursday to block Iran’s access to the dollar and impose ballistic missile sanctions on the anniversary of the deal to curtail the country’s nuclear arsenal. … The other, authored by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.), to enhance existing policy preventing Iran from accessing money through the U.S. financial system. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) urged Democrats this week to oppose the measures and uphold President Obama’s veto threats. ”(Cristina Marcos, “House Votes To Enhance Iran Sanctions,” The Hill, 7/14/16)
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