An energy and water funding bill expected to go in front of the Senate on Wednesday could be brought to a halt by an anti-Iran amendment introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton.
The Arkansas Republican announced late Tuesday he had introduced an amendment to block the United States from purchasing heavy water from Iran. The Department of Energy announced last week it intends to buy heavy water from the Islamic Republic, which is a non-radioactive component of making nuclear material for energy and weapons.
“The Obama administration stated that this purchase is a one-time deal and the United States will not become a repeat customer of Iran’s overproduction of heavy water,” Cotton said. “Regrettably, it’s become difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to President Obama sidling up to Iran. It seems the president will go to any lengths to protect his nuclear deal.
“This amendment would simply hold his administration to its promise by ensuring that taxpayer dollars cannot be used again for the same purpose.”
The $37.5 billion bill contains funding for the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior and the Army Corps of Engineers. The Obama administration has threatened to veto the bill over “ideological” riders. It was widely expected to have smooth sailing through the Senate.
The Senate was scheduled to vote on closing debate on the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act onWednesday afternoon, and a vote on passage could have come later in the day.
However, the amendment now threatens to derail the process.
Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told Politico that Democrats are in a “strong position” to block the appropriations bill over Cotton’s measure. Politico reported Minority Leader Harry Reid met with his caucus Wednesday morning to determine if they wanted to stop the bill over the amendment.
