Rep. Palmer plans Israel trip amid 'grave concerns' with Iran deal

AL.com

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer is taking a trip to Israel in mid-August as part of ongoing concerns with President Obama's proposed agreement on Iran's nuclear program, calling the deal possibly "the most important vote that Congress makes in 75 years."

"We've got a lot of questions that need to be answered, particularly in light of the Iran deal," Palmer said during an interview this morning while visiting with constituents in Chelsea.

A general outline of the proposed deal includes provisions to prevent Iran from producing uranium and plutonium to make a nuclear weapon for at least 10 years. In exchange, international sanctions against the country will be lifted.

Palmer noted concerns that include Iran engaging in the sale and purchase of weapons. If the country gets a nuclear weapon, "it will be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East," he said.

"This is literally a turning point," Palmer said this morning. "I try to point out that when you look at Iran becoming a nuclear power, you're not just looking at a nation state defined by national boundaries. You're looking at people who are in control of that nation who are part of a fanatical sect. They're the leading sponsor of terror in the world."

He added that "it's not just if Iran would become a nuclear power, it's if that sect would become a nuclear power – and I see no good ending to that."

Palmer said he remains optimistic that federal lawmakers can derail the proposed deal. "I think that we've got an opportunity to overturn this and we're working on it. I think for once it will not be defined by politics. I think that there's serious-minded members in both parties that are looking at this and have grave concerns," he said.

In a press release this morning, Palmer's office noted the Alabama congressman is a cosponsor of HR 3199, which would not allow the Obama administration to lift sanctions on Iran unless the Senate gives its consent requiring a two-thirds vote in the upper chamber.

"The Administration's agreement with Iran is a bad deal," Palmer said in the press release. "It does not prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Even if it is executed perfectly, and Iran acts in good faith – both of which are doubtful – it only delays their efforts."

He added, "The agreement also lifts the conventional arms embargo, which was not part of the original purpose of the negotiations. When combined with billions of dollars in sanctions relief, this agreement will allow for Iran to continue to be the world's leading sponsor of terrorist organizations."

In this morning's interview, Palmer also addressed the Planned Parenthood controversy, calling for U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to step aside concerning the investigation involving the organization discussing the sale of fetal tissue.

Palmer and others have expressed concerns about Lynch's involvement in previous litigation involving Planned Parenthood.

"She defended Planned Parenthood, so I think it would be very difficult for the average American to conclude that she would be impartial to this. And this needs to be non-politicized, this needs to be impartial," Palmer said.

"The other thing is if Planned Parenthood committed crimes – and with every video that comes out, it's increasingly evident they have committed crimes including the possibility that they took the life of a child after it was born, after the mother delivered – there are other entities that need to be investigated. I don't think this should be just about Planned Parenthood. I think we need to investigate this to the fullest. I think it requires a federal investigation and it needs to be impartial and it needs to be thorough," he said.