Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.V.) explained his decision to oppose the Iran nuclear deal on Thursday, saying the deal will fund terrorism and pave a slow path to an Iranian nuclear bomb.
"I cannot in good conscience agree to Iran receiving up to $100 billion in funds that everyone knows will be used, at least in some part, to continue funding terrorism and destabilizing the Middle East," Sen. Manchin said.
Under the nuclear deal, Iran agrees to pause its nuclear program for 15 years in exchange for a windfall of funds and sanctions relief on its banks, ballistic missile program, nuclear scientists, and military commanders.
Iran, which is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, will be able to use the money it receives to fund its terrorist proxies across the Middle East, as President Obama has admitted. Iran sends millions in financial and military aid each year to designated terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Manchin said the Iran deal is predicated on the "hope" that Iran will abandon its quest for a nuclear weapon before the limitations on Iran's centrifuges and enriched uranium stockpile expire, a charge the Obama administration vehemently denies.
"I cannot gamble our security and that of our allies on the hope that Iran will conduct itself different than it has the past 36 years," Manchin said.
Manchin is the fourth Senate Democrat to join the bipartisan coalition opposing the deal. While a majority of senators oppose the nuclear deal, the minority coalition of pro-deal Democrats is large enough to ensure the deal will take effect without a vote.
According to polling by Quinnipiac University, Americans oppose the nuclear deal by a two-to-one margin.