A leading Democratic senator said Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is continuing to push for an up-or-down vote on approving the Iran nuclear deal to score points with “some groups.”
Illinois senator Dick Durbin, a supporter of the Iran deal and the Democratic whip, criticized McConnell during a press conference in the Capitol with other Democratic leaders. Democrats have so far blocked efforts to end Senate debate on the Iran deal, most recently Tuesday night. Republicans argue the Senate should actually vote on approval.
“He wants to drag this out as long as possible,” Durbin said of McConnell. “It’s no longer about the merits of the agreement. It’s about the politics of the agreement. This is an effort by Senator McConnell to try to make political points with some groups and people around America.”
When asked by THE WEEKLY STANDARD what groups he was referring to, Durbin refused to clarify. “I don’t know, I think you can figure it out,” he said.
Several organizations have come out against the deal, the largest of which is the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee. Polls have showed decreasing support for the deal among the American people, as well.
