(CNSNews.com) – Code Pink, an anti-war group known for its frequent and sometimes raucous protests on Capitol Hill, meets regularly with Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), who serves on the Armed Services Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence, according to his staff.
 
“He meets regularly with people who have disparate views on foreign policy,” Eric Kleiman, Bayh’s director of communications told CNSNews.com.
 
Bayh met with the Indiana branch of Code Pink last August and plans to meet with them again in his home state in October, in addition to the meeting held behind closed doors on Thursday, Kleiman said.
 
“All of our meetings with constituents and outside groups are closed to the press,” Kleiman told reporters who expected to attend the “teach-in” Code Pink had announced was taking place at Bayh’s Senate office on Thursday. “We want to hear their private counsel.”
 
James O’Donnell, who told CNSNews.com that he joined Code Pink in Washington one month ago, said the group – which numbered about a dozen outside Bayh’s office – wanted to meet with the senator because they oppose Senate Bill 3227, which tightens sanctions on Iran.
 
When asked by CNSNews.com if Code Pink thinks Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, O’Donnell cited the National Intelligence Estimate issued last December.
 
“I don’t think it matters what I think,” O’Donnell said. “I think it matters what is the consensus of America’s 16 intelligence agencies. The National Intelligence Estimate says they are not pursuing them, and I think they know better than I do.”
 
The National Intelligence Estimate says that while the intelligence community is confident Iran gave up its nuclear weapons program in 2003, it is not certain whether it will continue that policy. It also says sanctions are an effective tool for dealing with Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
 
“Our assessment that Iran halted the (nuclear weapons) program in 2003 primarily in response to international pressure indicates Tehran’s decisions are guided by a cost-benefit approach rather than a rush to a weapon irrespective of the political, economic and military costs,” the intelligent report says.
 
Kleiman told CNSNews.com that Bayh meets with “people he agrees with and disagrees with,” and Bayh does not agree with Code Pink about Iran’s nuclear program or the use of sanctions.
 
Bayh, who also serves on the Senate Banking Committee, sponsored an amendment to the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act passed by the Senate in June.
 
On July 17, the Senate Banking Committee adopted Bayh’s amendment, which would give state and local governments the authority to divest from companies that provide Iran with refined oil and liquefied natural gas.
  
The legislation is part of a broader effort to pressure Iran to discontinue its nuclear materials production program through sanctions that would choke off refined petroleum imports into the country. Iran is the second-largest importer of gasoline in the world.
 
“Senator Bayh does not agree with Code Pink’s position with respect to Iran, but he respects their right to disagree,” Kleiman said. “Senator Bayh believes we need tough, aggressive economic sanctions to deter Tehran from its pursuit of nuclear weapons.”