US President Obama Has Senate Votes To Approve Iran Nuclear Accord
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) said Wednesday she will support the Iran nuclear accord, giving US President Barack Hussein Obama the 34 Senate votes needed to sustain a veto of any congressional resolution disapproving the deal.
32 Senate Democrats and 2 independents who vote with the Democrats now back the accord.
“No deal is perfect, especially one negotiated with the Iranian regime. I have concluded that this Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb,” Sen. Mikulski said in a statement. “For these reasons, I will vote in favor of this deal.”
Sen. Mikulski’s backing means Mr. Obama’s fellow Democrats will have enough votes to protect the nuclear accord between Iran and world powers in the US Congress. The agreement, announced on 14 July, exchanges sanctions relief for Iran for the government agreeing to pare its nuclear program.
With Republicans virtually united in opposition, Democrats have spent the Summer rallying support for the accord seen as a potential legacy foreign policy achievement for Mr. Obama.
Republicans hold majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate, and are likely to pass a Republican-sponsored disapproval resolution. However, Mr. Obama promised to veto any such measure, and opponents would have needed 2/3 rds majorities in both Chambers to override the veto. Support by 34 senators means a veto would be sustained.
A resolution would also fail if deal supporters can muster 41 votes in the Senate to block it using a procedural motion. Senate leadership aides on both sides of the issue said it was still too early to say whether that would happen.
Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer (NY) and Robert Menendez (NJ) are opposed, as are a handful of Democrats in the House.
Stay tuned…
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Paul Ebeling
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