Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, signed on as an original co-sponsor of the Maximum Pressure Act, Wednesday which would restore the “successful” maximum pressure strategy employed by the Trump Administration. 

This bill comes at the same time as the Biden administration and congressional Democrats are planning to get rid of the current leverage on Iran and re-enter the failed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, according to Garcia.

“We must maintain maximum pressure on Iran,” Garcia said. “The Iran Nuclear deal was a failure from day one and rejoining the deal, which encouraged a nuclear arsenal and facilitated Iran’s support of terrorists, would do away with the progress made by the Trump administration’s pressure campaign on Iran.” 

The Maximum Pressure Act provides Congress review over the Biden administration’s efforts to return to JCPOA, according to officials. 

Any new deal with Iran would require a treaty to be ratified by the Senate and would establish a process prohibiting the lifting of sanctions without congressional approval, according to Garcia. 

“I am glad to be an original cosponsor of the Maximum Pressure Act and hold Iran accountable,” Garcia said. “We must restore the pressure on Iran that led to more countries improving their relationships with Israel and deterred Iran’s development of nuclear weapons. As a former U.S. Navy Pilot, I flew combat missions in the Middle East and saw firsthand why strengthening our relationship with Israel is crucial as well as maintaining pressure on Iran. We cannot stand idle while the current administration takes actions that jeopardize our nation’s security.” 

The bill would also expand sanctions on Iran, making it the toughest sanctions ever introduced in Congress on Iran.

Earlier this year, Garcia sent a letter to President Biden urging him to not re-enter the JCPOA. 

On Tuesday, Garcia stressed on Fox News the national security risks that come from cutting our nation’s defense, especially during a time where there are growing national security concerns across the globe — including the current administration’s plan to rejoin JCPOA.   

To read the bill in its  entirety, click here.

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