Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. G. K. Butterfield’s Statement in Response to GOP Senators’ Open Letter to Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Representative G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the open letter to Iran authored by 47 Senate Republicans:

“The Congressional Black Caucus shares the sentiments expressed by Vice President Joe Biden regarding the unprecedented and reckless nature of Republicans’ open letter to Iran.

“The letter is an irresponsible partisan act to undermine President Obama as he attempts to negotiate an agreement to prevent a nuclear Iran.  This unprecedented action not only threatens our national security today, but also the ability of future presidents to negotiate with foreign governments and international leaders to find diplomatic resolutions to global challenges.

“By issuing this provocative letter during ongoing sensitive negotiations, these Republican Senators are attempting to usurp the President’s authority and break long-held American traditions of how we conduct foreign policy.  This action is not only disrespectful to President Obama but to the Office of the President.”