President Obama took the position on Friday that the House vote against approving the Iran nuclear agreement is actually a good sign, and shows that people are more likely to support the deal if they take time to read and understand it.
“Today’s vote in the House of Representatives is the latest indication that the more members have studied the historic deal that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, the more they have come out in support of it,” Obama said.
Obama’s statement was released shortly after the House voted 162-269 against a resolution approving the agreement. The rejection of the deal was helped along by 25 Democrats who voted with Republicans.
Obama’s statement seemed to imply that Democrats supported the agreement because they understand it better, and seemed to say Republicans don’t have as good a grasp on the details.
“I am gratified that the lawmakers, led by Democratic Leader [Nancy] Pelosi, who have taken care to judge the deal on the merits, are joining our allies and partners around the world in taking steps that will allow for the implementation of this long-term, comprehensive deal,” he said.
Friday’s vote shows the House won’t accept the deal, but that’s not enough to stop it from being implemented. To block the deal, Congress would have to pass a resolution of disapproval, but Senate Democrats filibustered that resolution on Thursday.
The White House has said since the Senate vote that the deal will now take effect next week, and Obama acknowledged that again on Friday.
“Now, we must turn to the critical work of implementing and verifying this deal so that Iran cannot pursue a nuclear weapon,” he said. “In doing so, we’ll write the latest chapter of American leadership in the pursuit of a safer, more hopeful world.”
