Gwinnett Daily Post: Political Notebook: Rob Woodall Co-Sponsoring Resolution Opposing Iran Nuclear Deal

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U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall's office announced Friday afternoon that Gwinnett-based congressman has joined 164 fellow House Republicans in co-sponsoring a resolution that opposes the Iran nuclear weapons deal announced earlier this week.

The deal between Iran and the U.S., China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany is intended to curb the Middle Eastern nation's ability to develop nuclear weapons for at least the next decade. Several congressmen, including nine from Georgia, have signed on to House Resolution 367, which states the agreement doesn't do enough to disarm Iran's nuclear program.

"The consequences of a bad deal with Iran are far greater for Israel, the United States and our allies throughout the region than no deal at all -- and this is unfortunately a bad deal -- which is exactly why I joined over 150 of my colleagues in co-sponsoring H. Res. 367 to send a strong message to this Administration," Woodall said in a statement.

Woodall said tougher sanctions are needed against Iran, arguing they could have eventually forced a change of leadership in the country that would build trust among the world's major powers.

"Iran's record shows that they are indeed not ready for that partnership and the agreement reached by the President and his team ensures that those fundamental objectives will never be accomplished," the congressman said. "Rather than strike a deal granting billions of dollars in sanctions relief that will help pave the way for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon in the future, the president should be focused on convincing the other P5+1 nations that the original goal of the sanctions was right, and we must stay the course until Iran shows that it can be a trusted global participant."

Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.), whos district includes eastern Gwinnett County, is also a co-sponsor on the resolution.

Woodall also praises colleagues for transportation funding extension

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the latest in a series of short-term extensions designed to keep transportation construction funding flowing Wednesday, but Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) saw it as a step towards a long-term solution that has eluded Congress for years.

The Highway and Transportation Funding Act will keep transportation projects funded through Dec. 18, if Senators and President Barack Obama sign off on it. The existing funding agreement expires July 31. It isn't the permanent solution that has been Congress's goal for years, but Woodall indicated there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.

"America needs the certainty of a long-term surface transportation bill, and this legislation creates a bridge to achieve that goal without pulling the rug out from under existing projects across the country," said Rep. Woodall. "I see the pathway to a long-term re-authorization that resolves the funding gaps and guarantees predictability -- and this bill provides the time to do it the right way."

Isakson praises Senate colleagues for passing Every Child Achieves Act

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) commended his fellow senators for backing bipartisan education reforms designed to scale back the federal government's role in the management of local schools.

The Every Child Achieves Act is designed to give parents, teachers and state and local governments more of a say in education matters. It includes an amendment introduced by Isakson to make sure parents are provided ample information about the ability to opt their children out of standardized testing.

"The Every Child Achieves Act reopens the door for local control," Isakson said in a statement. "It takes the bonds off of public education and removes the Washington weight that is dragging it down. The Every Child Achieves Act will do exactly what I have been working toward for many years, and that is to put education progress and decisions back in the hands of parents, teachers, and state and local governments."

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