Senate Republicans on Tuesday made a second push to advance a resolution disapproving of the Iran nuclear deal, after Democrats blocked the measure last week.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., kicked off the debate with a call for Democrats to allow an up or down vote on passage of the resolution, which cannot happen unless 60 senators vote “yes” to end debate on the measure.
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“Let’s stand up for the people we represent,” McConnell said. “Let’s allow them a vote on one of the most consequential foreign policy issues of our age.”
But Senate Democrats are all but guaranteed to block the resolution a second time Tuesday evening. That vote will likely mark an end to legislative attempts to block the nuclear deal, which opponents say does not go far enough to stop Iran from producing nuclear weapon or from sponsoring terrorism in the region.
A congressional review period of the nuclear deal expires on Thursday. The House has not voted on a disapproval resolution, but instead voted to reject a resolution of approval of the deal.
While most Democrats in the House and Senate back the deal thanks to strenuous White House lobbying, some are against it. In the Senate, four Democrats oppose the deal.
McConnell argued Tuesday that even President Obama has argued that “Congress owes the American people a final up or down vote,” on important legislation.
Senate Democrats are instead asking McConnell to hold a final vote on the measure, but require 60 votes for passage. McConnell rejected the Democratic proposal since at this point, a 60-vote threshold cannot be met. Instead, McConnell is attacking them for blocking debate and a final vote.
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, accused Democrats of placing “partisan concerns ahead of the national security of the United States” by blocking a final vote, noting that according to polls, “this is an enormously unpopular agreement.”
