Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged on Sunday to bring legislation to the floor this month requiring Congress to approve a nuclear deal with Iran or to impose new sanctions if no deal is reached.
McConnell, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” said Congress will vote on the bill “if a deal is made,” and he signaled he will use the upcoming March 24 deadline, which is when a framework agreement is expected.
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“Apparently, the administration is on the cusp of entering into a very bad deal with one of the worst regimes in the world that would allow them to continue to have their nuclear infrastructure,” McConnell said. “We’re alarmed about it. A number of Democrats are alarmed about it. We will be acting.”
Tensions have increased between the White House and Senate over the negotiations with Iran to reduce its ability to build a nuclear weapon.
Both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate believe the emerging deal is weak. There may be enough votes to uphold a veto-proof majority for legislation that requires congressional approval of a deal or new sanctions.
This weekend, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough wrote to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., asking the Senate to postpone legislation until after a final agreement is due at the end of June.
Corker issued a statement Sunday signaling he believes the Senate should act sooner.
McConnell said on CNN that he supports the letter 47 Republicans signed and sent to Iranian leaders, informing them that a deal with Obama may not last beyond his tenure in the White House if Congress does not vote on it.
He said even though Democrats have complained about the letter, it won’t hurt their support for a bill requiring congressional approval of a deal with Iran or sanctions if there is no deal.
“I can’t believe a Democrat concerned about Iran getting a nuclear weapon would use some excuse like this as a reason not to support legislation that they think, on the merits, makes good sense,” McConnell said.
