Press Releases

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett released the following statement announcing her support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action:

Over these summer months my colleagues and I have engaged in—what I believe has been—enormous thought, analysis, consultation, and heartfelt introspection in taking a position on a matter that may determine the safety of the Middle East, and the United States’ continued leadership in the world.For several years our nation has spearheaded sanctions, which have brought Iran to the negotiating table, and our President has presented to our nation a path to peace.For the last 30 years, American-Iranian relations have been trapped in not only suspicion and mistrust, but intractability; denying us the ability to develop even an agreement as to how we will manage our and our allies’ relationship and interests in Iran. As a nation of democracy, dignity and freedom, fought for and defended by ourselves and our allies, I believe that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the best means to protect and advance the best interests of our nation and those of our allies.  I choose to support measures designed to build bridges to a future that may one day lead to peace. 

I fundamentally support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and commend Secretary John Kerry and Secretary Ernest Moniz for their leadership in these negotiations.We are not the only party to this Agreement and we are well aware that all other nations in the negotiation are ready and willing to sign the JCPOA.They are also ready to resume commercial relations with Iran, which will effectively remove economic sanctions, the stick which initially brought them to the table.Our leadership role demands that we follow through with the terms of this Agreement and continue to be at the helm of monitoring Iran. We must never walk away from our commitment to peace in the region and our alliance with Israel. If we walk away now, however, we have no voice. We isolate not only our leaders, but also our nation.

No one believes this is a perfect outcome or that we have entered with complete faith in the other side.As a lawyer, I understand that no party is ever completely satisfied with agreements such as this.I am particularly concerned that the Agreement will require lifting the sanctions against Iran, which has been our main enforcement measure.  Iran stands to recover approximately $100 billion once released from previously imposed sanctions.  If we reject this deal, we waive any leverage to ensure the money is not used to advance a regime that would threaten our national and international security. I will work with my colleagues in Congress and the Administration as we ensure Iran abides by the terms of the Agreement and uses the money to promote economic stability globally and within the region.

I have met with my constituents including those from both the Muslim and Jewish communities and am thankful for their thoughts on this subject, and even more so for their commitment to uplift the people of the Virgin Islands, our country and the world.

Most important to this decision is my fear that military action would be the likely alternative to rejecting the Agreement, and my constituents—mostly underserved and unemployed minorities—will be the individuals to bear the brunt of the fight.  As the Representative of a community that serves in our Nation’s military in greater proportion than most communities on the mainland, and as a mother of three service-age sons, I cannot support this outcome. 

On this anniversary of the attack of September 11, 2001, and our nation’s subsequent decision to enter war, we see that we must exhaust every option before entering war and suffering the casualties of such conflicts, which rob us of the most precious resource of our nation; our people.The alternative to not supporting the Agreement is not a viable option for our nation. We as leaders must work diligently for peace in the Middle East, and to ensure we protect the interests of Israel, our must trusted ally in the region.

I believe that President Obama has secured enough votes in the Senate to advance the Agreement, and hope we in Washington will now focus on efforts towards addressing and improving our long-term infrastructure needs, maintaining our social safety net system, alleviating the continued inequities in this great country, and uplifting the lives of all Americans.

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