Bergenfield—Elliot and Nomi Press welcomed Congressman Brad Sherman into their home for a NORPAC event in Bergenfield. Rep. Sherman has served for 19 years in the U.S. Congress, and has been a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee for over 15 years.

In his position as the second-highest ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Sherman has repeatedly introduced the Visa Waiver for Israel Act, a bill that will allow for more Israelis to obtain U.S. tourist visas. Also, the Congressman has cosponsored a bill that will move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which he has repeatedly sponsored during each session of Congress. Most recently, Rep. Sherman was one of the first Democrats to oppose the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran.

When speaking at the NORPAC event, Sherman explained his reasoning for opposing the JCPOA. He indicated that although the short-term ramifications of the deal are troubling, the long term results are even more concerning. Over the next decade, the deal allows Iran to reach the threshold of being a nuclear state. Ideally, Rep. Sherman wants to have the initial restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, which are laid out in the JCPOA, to remain as permanent restrictions for the next decade. However, now that the JCPOA will take effect, Sherman has stressed the need to place non-nuclear sanctions on Iran. Specifically, sanctions are needed to free the five American hostages being held in Iran, as well as stop Iran’s involvement in the Syrian civil war.

Rep. Brad Sherman will be running for reelection in 2016.