New Dems Demand Answers and a Clear Path Forward to Secure an Iran Peace Deal

Washington, D.C. — Today, National Security Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros (CA-31) led a group of 35 New Dem Members in a letter to President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting an immediate briefing on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – along with any side agreements, implementation arrangements, or commitments made by the United States or Iran – and the Administration’s plans to secure a final deal within the 60-day ceasefire period. 

The letter reads in part: 
“After more than fifteen weeks of conflict, the American people deserve relief from this unauthorized war that has driven up costs at home, harmed our military readiness and national security, and upended the global economy. Since the beginning of the conflict, gas prices have risen significantly across the nation, reaching a peak of $4.56 per gallon in May – a 53% increase from before the war. This conflict also drove up transportation costs, leading to the increase in the price of groceries, household items, and fertilizers.”

In the letter, New Dem Members request answers to a series of questions related to Iranian commitments, the source of the $300 billion reconstruction fund, details on sanctions relief, enforcement mechanisms, the total cost of the war to the American people, plans to update Congress throughout the ceasefire, and more.

“President Trump and his cabinet cannot be allowed to end this war as they started it – under darkness and out of the view of the Americans they serve,” said Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros. “The Trump Administration has lost all credibility and the trust of everyday Americans over the course of a war that has skyrocketed costs at home. That’s why we’re demanding details on the Memorandum of Understanding and oversight from Congress throughout ongoing negotiations for a permanent peace deal. The American people need this war to be over, but New Dems will not tolerate a deal that jeopardizes the interests and security of Americans while emboldening a hardline Iranian regime.”

You can read the full letter here and below:

President Trump, 

We, the undersigned members of the New Democrat Coalition, write to request an urgent briefing regarding the recently announced Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Iran and your strategy in the region for the coming weeks. 

After more than fifteen weeks of conflict, the American people deserve relief from this unauthorized war that has driven up costs at home, harmed our military readiness and national security, and upended the global economy. Since the beginning of the conflict, gas prices have risen significantly across the nation, reaching a peak of $4.56 per gallon in May – a 53% increase from before the war. This conflict also drove up transportation costs, leading to the increase in the price of groceries, household items, and fertilizers. The losses were also felt across our military, with fourteen servicemembers killed, hundreds wounded, and our missile stockpiles depleted, severely impacting our military readiness. 

We welcome serious diplomatic efforts to end the war with Iran and prevent further damages impacting Americans. However, this MOU reads more like a surrender than a path to enduring peace. The reported terms would see a hardline Iranian regime empowered by increased control over the Strait of Hormuz and enriched with hundreds of billions in direct funds, unfrozen assets, and sweeping sanctions relief– already announced by OFAC– without any concrete concessions on nuclear material, ballistic missiles, or support for terrorist proxies.

Within hours of signing the MOU, the agreement was undermined by renewed hostilities in Lebanon, which Iran cited as justification for restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, your public threats to resume strikes against Iran prompted the Iranian delegation to threaten to leave talks, undermining the diplomatic process your Administration claims is necessary to end the war and raising concerns over the lack of enforcement mechanisms for the agreement. These events underscore the urgent need for Congressional oversight.

Accordingly, we echo the request made by our New Democrat Coalition Colleagues Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith (WA-09), and Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Jim Himes (CT-04), that your Administration provide a briefing to Members of Congress immediately and make available the full text of the Memorandum of Understanding, including any side agreements, implementation arrangements, or commitments made by the United States or Iran. Further, Congress should be briefed periodically on the status of negotiations with Iran throughout the 60-day ceasefire.

At a minimum, the briefing should address the following questions:

• What commitments has Iran agreed to regarding its nuclear program, enriched uranium stockpile, ballistic missile program, and support for proxy militias across the region? 
• Who is responsible for paying the $300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran? What costs will be incurred by the American people?
• What sanctions relief, Iranian access to frozen assets, or other economic commitments has the Administration agreed to provide Iran?
• What enforcement mechanisms are included in the agreement and what are the consequences of violating them?
• What is your Administration’s plan for reaching a permanent agreement during the 60-day ceasefire period?
• What specific military objectives did the United States achieve in Iran?
• What has been the total monetary and material cost of the war, including military operations, munitions, asset damage, and related costs?
• What is your plan to keep Congress informed on the status of negotiations with Iran throughout the 60-day ceasefire?

Additionally, this agreement and any final deal must be brought before Congress in accordance with the Iranian Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. The American people deserve to know whether this agreement will actually permanently end the war, prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and protect the national security of the United States. We support diplomacy as the right path forward, but believe it must also be accompanied with transparency, accountability, and a clear strategy. 

We urge your Administration to provide Congress with a full briefing without delay. 

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