Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement calling on the United States Senate to use the “nuclear option” to disapprove of President Obama’s bad nuclear deal with Iran:

“The President’s deeply flawed and misguided deal with Iran is a serious security matter not only for the United States, but also for our allies in the Middle East.  I believe we must use all tools possible to stop this deal in its tracks and avoid placing our citizens and allies at greater risk.  Accordingly, I implore Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate leadership to use the so-called ‘nuclear option’ to require a simple majority to stop the Iran agreement.  To require a super majority on a matter of great importance is improper, is offensive to the majority rule, and is damaging to our great Republic.”

The so-called “nuclear option” is a waiver of a rule dating back to the 1970’s.  This modern filibuster/cloture rule currently in practice in the Senate requires a super majority in order to take a vote on any issue.  A single Senator acting anonymously can place a “hold” on legislation by notifying the Senate Majority Leader of his or her desire to “hold” such a bill.

Since November 16, 2012 (soon after the election that left Democrats in control of the White House and the Senate), Griffith has consistently called for the Senate to change this policy and return to its workable historical filibuster rule.

A full explanation of the modern filibuster rule and Griffith’s position on it can be found here: /news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398378.