Senator Colbeck offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 104.

            A resolution to urge the President and Congress of the United States to oppose the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, consider the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as a treaty under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, and to reaffirm Michigan's right to levy state sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

            Whereas, The U.S. State Department lists the Islamic Republic of Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, one of only three nations currently listed as such, and Iranian actions are responsible for the deaths of American servicemen. General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's Quds Forces, helped supply copper-tipped IEDs to Shiite militias in Iraq, for example, killing 500 American soldiers and Marines. For his role in this armament, General Soleimani has been prohibited by the United Nations to travel outside Iran, which he openly defied by traveling to Russia to secure weapons for Iran; and

Whereas, Iran's anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiments are well-known. The Supreme Leader of Iran, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has frequently threatened the United States in public statements, stating "death to America" and referring to the United States as the "Great Satan." These statements were made while Iran was negotiating with the United States on a nuclear agreement. The Supreme Leader has also threatened Israel, referring to that nation as "Little Satan" and remarking, "God willing, there will be no such thing as the Zionist regime in 25 years." Moreover, the Iranian government continues to wrongfully imprison Americans Jason Rezaian, Robert Levinson, Saeed Abedini, and Amir Hekmati; and

            Whereas, The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly referred to as the Iranian nuclear agreement, is an agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and six coalition nations, led by the United States, that seeks to limit Iran's capacity to refine weapons-grade nuclear material and develop nuclear weapons in exchange for international sanctions relief; and

            Whereas, The Iranian nuclear agreement poses a direct threat to the national security of the United States, Israel, and our other allies and interests around the world. The current package of sanctions imposed by the United States and coalition nations restrict Iran's capacity to enhance weapons-grade uranium and develop nuclear weaponry. Lifting these sanctions and allowing uranium refinement provides a path to a nuclear Iran. Sanctions relief would also subsidize the actions of General Soleimani's and Iran's terrorist activities with up to $100 billion in monetary support. Moreover, the agreement requires the United States to protect the Iranian nuclear program from sabotage; and

            Whereas, H.R. 1191 of 2015 amended the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require the President to present the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, including all related material and annexes, to Congress within five days of reaching an agreement with Iran for a 60-day congressional review. Only after all germane materials have been given to Congress, including information related to other agreements directly associated with the Iran nuclear agreement, should the 60-day rule go into effect; and

            Whereas, The process detailed in H.R. 1191 of 2015 is not the most appropriate for such an agreement. A multi-national agreement of this significance should have the backing of the United States Congress and legitimacy under the U.S. Constitution as a treaty. Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution requires the President of the United States to submit treaties to the United States Senate for its advice and consent, requiring approval by two-thirds present. This would demonstrate to the world that the full weight of the American government is in support of these actions; and

            Whereas, Many states, including Michigan, have laws sanctioning state sponsors of terrorism. Michigan's Attorney General has issued a letter to all 50 states asking them to keep in place or impose new sanctions on entities conducting business in Iran; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the President and Congress of the United States to adhere to all stipulations of H.R. 1191 of 2015; and be it further

            Resolved, That we to urge the President and Congress of the United States to consider the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as a treaty under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution; and be it further

            Resolved, That we urge the Congress of the United States to oppose the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and be it further

Resolved, That we reaffirm Michigan's right to levy state sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the Governor of Michigan.