President Obama’s deal to slow Iran’s drive for a nuclear bomb was greeted with caution Thursday by key leaders in Congress.
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said he would continue pushing for passage of his bill to mandate that the Senate approve any final agreement with Iran.
The accord between Tehran, the U.S. and its negotiating partners was only the political framework and outline for a deal to be hammered out and finalized by June 30. Corker has enough support for his legislation to overcome a filibuster, but it is still not clear whether enough Democrats will join with most Republicans to achieve a vote that is large enough to override Obama’s threatened veto.
“A nuclear-armed Iran would lead to a less safe and less secure world, which is why the stakes are so high in the pursuit of a strong agreement that is fully enforceable, verifiable and is in our national security interests,” Corker said in a lengthy statement. “It is important that we wait to see the specific details of today’s announcement, and as the P5+1 works toward any final deal, we must remain clear-eyed regarding Iran’s continued resistance to concessions, long history of covert nuclear weapons-related activities, support of terrorism and its current role in destabilizing the region. If a final agreement is reached, the American people, through their elected representatives, must have the opportunity to weigh in to ensure the deal truly can eliminate the threat of Iran’s nuclear program and hold the regime accountable.
“Rather than bypass Congress and head straight to the U.N. Security Council as planned,” Corker added, “the administration first should seek the input of the American people. There is growing bipartisan support for congressional review of the nuclear deal, and I am confident of a strong vote on the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee takes it up on April 14.”
The lead Democratic sponsor of the bill, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, was indicted on corruption charges this week and it is not clear how that would impact the legislation’s prospects for reaching the 67 votes it needs to be veto-proof. Menendez has been the loudest Democratic critic of Obama’s proposed deal with Iran, and has stepped down from his position as the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he spoke to Obama earlier Thursday about the deal and urged his colleagues to study the details before drawing any conclusions.
“I am cautiously optimistic about this framework. We must always remain vigilant about preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, but there is no question that a diplomatic solution is vastly preferable to the alternatives,” he said. “Now is the time for thoughtful consideration, not rash action that could undermine the prospects for success. We have much to learn about what was negotiated and what will take place between now and the end of June. In the coming days and weeks, we should all take a deep breath, examine the details and give this critically important process time to play out.”
Menendez offered a measured statement in response to the framework agreement with Tehran, although he held fast to his position that any final accord be submitted to the Senate for approval.
“Led by Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, our negotiators have worked tirelessly throughout these talks, and today’s announcement deserves rigorous review and analysis. In the coming days, this preliminary understanding will receive close scrutiny, and for that reason, Congress must fulfill its oversight responsibilities,” the New Jersey Democrat said.
“That begins with taking up on April 14 in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. If diplomats can negotiate for two years on this issue, then certainly Congress is entitled to a review period of an agreement that will fundamentally alter our relationship with Iran and the sanctions imposed by Congress. The best outcome remains a good deal that ends Iran’s illicit nuclear weapons program. That requires a strong, united, and bipartisan approach from the administration and Congress.”
