Rep. Donald Norcross (D., N.J.) joined fellow New Jersey Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez in voicing opposition to the Iran nuclear agreement Tuesday.
The freshman congressman came out against the deal during remarks to the Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, echoing Menendez in insisting that "a better deal can be achieved."
"The Iranian regime is a known sponsor of terrorism that has made no secret of its hatred for both the Unites States and Israel," Norcross explained Tuesday. "Providing relief for them by lifting economic sanctions now essentially rewards past behavior and infuses billions of dollars into the their economy that could be used to buy more weapons and outsource more terror."
"Moreover, the deal does not provide enough assurance that Iran will be restricted from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons. So this windfall may ultimately help fund their nuclear ambitions," he added.
Having penned a letter to President Obama in advance of the finalized deal voicing concerns about the importance of transparency and the need for "intrusive inspections" to be conducted in Iranian facilities, Norcross concluded that agreement announced in July "ultimately falls short of the guarantees necessary to assure the American people that it will do more good than harm."
The New Jersey lawmaker allegedly met with Obama, Vice President Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, among others, in order to make a final decision on the deal during the congressional review period.
"I’ve listened. I’ve studied the issues. And, after careful consideration, I must vote against this deal.We all know no deal is perfect or iron-clad. I’m not looking for perfection, but I do believe that a better deal can be achieved," Norcross told the crowd in New Jersey.
Norcross is the 12th Democratic member of the House to oppose the nuclear deal, according to The Hill. Menendez became the second Democratic senator to do so, following Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) who made public his disapproval of the deal earlier this month.
Congressional lawmakers, who have until mid-September to review the agreement, would have to pass a resolution to kill the deal, which would need two-thirds majority support in order to override a veto from Obama.