WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, released the following statement after voting against a resolution of disapproval of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreed upon by Iran and the P5+1. Senate democrats blocked the disapproval resolution with a vote of 58 to 42.

"From the outset, I have approached this debate with one overarching goal: to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. I cast my vote today in support of the agreement because I strongly believe it is the best chance we have to keeping a nuclear weapon from Iran.

"Today’s vote is a clear victory for U.S. leadership and strength abroad. By rejecting the resolution of disapproval of the negotiated Joint Plan of Action, the Senate preserved the full legitimacy of the American president’s ability to engage in diplomacy with allies and adversaries alike.

"This vote does not represent the end of Congress’s involvement in this agreement, but rather marks a clear beginning of our oversight responsibilities. We must continually engage with the IAEA to ensure the intrusive inspections of Iranian nuclear sites are carried out without interference or delay. We must work with our partners on the P5+1 to verify that Iran is meeting all of its commitments under the agreement. We must ensure that the Department of State, Department of Treasury, and our intelligence agencies have the necessary resources to track how sanctions relief is spent. And we must rigorously enforce the non-nuclear sanctions that remain in place against Iran.

"Lastly, with this vote behind us, I am renewing my call for Congress to fulfill its constitutional obligation to authorize military force against ISIL. Congress has shirked its responsibility to conduct oversight over wars we’re already fighting in order to focus an inordinate amount of oversight on diplomatic agreements that aim to prevent future wars. It’s time for us to stop avoiding the tough debates and do our jobs."