Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after the announcement by the Trump Administration to end waivers of sanctions on Iran’s civilian nuclear activities that were included as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or Iran nuclear deal.

“The Iran nuclear deal negotiated by President Obama was designed for failure,” said Burgess. “It rewarded the Iranian regime before Iran even took the required steps to dismantle its dangerous nuclear program. Allowing civilian nuclear activities to continue was meant to help the Iranian people. Instead, Iran’s leaders chose to exploit this opportunity at the expense of their people. I appreciate President Trump and his administration for taking a strong stand against Iran’s continuing efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction. Ending these waivers will put pressure on other nations to also hold this tyrannical regime accountable for its malign behavior and support of international terrorism.”