U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins defended the 47 Senate Republicans who signed a controversial open letter to Iran about a possible nuclear weapons program agreement.

After touring businesses in Lawrence and Lecompton on Friday, Jenkins, who represents Douglas County and much of the eastern portion of Kansas, said the senators were following the lead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who told Congress in early March that no deal with Iran was better than a bad deal.

“I think the senators just expressed that view in their letter, that there was another option here, and that is to back up and present a different approach,” Jenkins said. “They’re representing their constituents, as the president is charged with doing as the President of the United Sates.”

Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins gets a tour of the Free State Brewing Co. bottling plant, 1923 Moodie Road, as led by director of brewing, Steve Bradt, Friday, March 13, 2015. While on the tour, Bradt spoke to Jenkins about the potential for legislation that would help small breweries.

The letter, delivered March 9, warns Iranian leaders that any deal reached with President Barack Obama over its nuclear program could be revoked with “the stroke of a pen” when a new president is in office, or modified by future Congresses. The 47 signees are all Republicans and include Kansas senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts.

The action was swiftly criticized by Democrats, including Obama, and some Republicans for undermining foreign policy and potentially harming the ongoing talks with Iran’s leaders.

“Certainly it’s a different perspective than the president,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins visited several areas in Lecompton Friday, including the Lecompton Historical Society and several businesses. She then toured the production facility for Free State Brewery in Lawrence and discussed potential legislation that would benefit small brewers.

Jenkins also discussed H.R. 529, a bill she is sponsoring that would allow individuals to spend money from their 529 savings plans on computers, software and Internet access. Earnings placed in 529 plans, which are designed to ease education costs, are not subject to federal taxes or, generally, state taxes.

The bill easily passed the U.S. House of Representatives in February, and Jenkins said she does not expect any roadblocks from the Senate, where a companion bill was introduced, or the White House.

“There should be nothing standing in the way from enhancing these plans and helping these students and families go to school,” she said.