Englewood—NORPAC hosted an event for Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) at the home of Lori and Kevin Lemmer in Englewood. Sen. Crapo is currently serving his fourth term in the U.S. Senate, where he is also the second-highest ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee. In this position, Sen. Crapo has been a leader in creating and imposing sanctions on Iran and Hezbollah. In addition, Sen. Crapo has been an outspoken opponent of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran.

At the NORPAC event, Crapo explained why he strongly believes that the JCPOA is a dangerous deal. Firstly, the inspections regime that is arranged in compliance with the JCPOA is not nearly intensive enough. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an international body that is in control over inspections, is not disclosing the monitoring arrangements that it has agreed upon with Iran, but reports indicate that the inspections regime is insufficient and lax. Secondly, Sen. Crapo expressed his outrage that the U.S. did not demand from Iran to stop sponsoring terrorism, acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, and stop its ballistic missile program, as conditions to the JCPOA. Lastly, Sen. Crapo told the audience that he was concerned about the $150 billion that Iran will receive from foreign reserves, as he is sure that Iran will use this money to continue to support terrorism.

Despite the precarious situation now with the JCPOA taking effect, Sen. Crapo emphasized that support of Israel, specifically regarding military aid and foreign aid, remains a bipartisan issue. Sen. Crapo also conveyed his absolute commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Sen. Mike Crapo is running for re-election in 2016.