Referencing a line from the movie “Casablanca,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday said the controversy surrounding the open letter to Iran issued by 47 Republican senators has been overblown.

McConnell said there is plenty of historical precedent for senators to insert themselves into U.S. diplomatic affairs and inform foreign governments about Congress’ role in approving agreements with other nations. The Kentuckian said the uproar reminds him of the 1942 film, in which Claude Rains says of the nightclub where most of the action occurs, “I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!”