WASHINGTON - Maine's congressional delegation is offering a mixed response to the proposed nuclear deal reached in Switzerland Thursday between the U.S., its international partners, and Iran.
The initial reaction from GOP Sen. Susan Collins is that she has "serious concerns" about the framework agreement, and whether it can accomplish the goal of preventing Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
In a written statement Collins says the proposed deal "appears to delay, rather than eliminate, Iran's path toward becoming a nuclear weapon state." She goes on to say the deal would apparently allow Iran to retain what she calls "troubling capabilities that constitute a threshold nuclear weapon state." And she says any deal deserves "thorough consideration" by the Senate.
Fellow Sen. Angus King - an independent who caucuses with the Democrats - also wants congressional oversight of any final deal, but he said in a statement he is encouraged by Thursday's development. Talking to CNN Friday morning, King described the framework as an important step forward in reaching a final agreement.
"I'm impressed that the deal is more detailed, more intrusive, has more limitations, longer limitations than I anticipated," King said. "I'm not ready to sign on and say it's terrific, but I think it's a really positive step forward."
But King also says any final agreement is meaningless without effective enforcement and verification measures. And he says that, while he supports oversight by Congress, he does not want the issue to fall victim to partisan politics.
"The underlying question is whether the Republicans in Congress can approach this on the facts and merits, and not just saying, 'If it's Obama's idea we're against it.' "
First District Democratic House Rep. Chellie Pingree was also encouraged by Thursday's tentative agreement. "I think the framework that was agreed on was positive, I think it's important that negotiators reach a final agreement in the coming weeks. The parameters look good to me."
Pingree also believes Congress should stay out of the way as the next three months of negotiations unfold. "I honestly think that, for now, Congress should step back, let the president keep negotiating, let us all see the final agreement and don't interfere with it. This is absolutely our best shot at long-lasting peace and at keeping from nuclear war, or nuclear weapons being available for Iran. So I think we should stay out of this for now."
Republican Bruce Poliquin, representing the 2nd District, issued a statement saying that, while many of his constituents are against a nuclear Iran, he wants Congress and the American people to "have the ability to review any and all details of an agreement."
He goes on to say he will "continue to monitor the situation and thoroughly review the frameworks of a deal in the months ahead."