The second-ranking Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Thursday ripped into his Republican colleagues who he thought were being forced to show their “manhood” as a result of the tough talk on Iran happening in the Republican presidential debates.
“Because of the Republican presidential debate, and because the Republican presidential candidates reserved a vile of venom to be used against the leader here, the majority leader of the Senate, and the speaker of the House, it is clear they’re under immense pressure to show their Republican manhood,” he said.
Durbin appeared to be referencing pressure Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are feeling from their fight to do more to obstruct the Iran deal.
Durbin further blasted efforts by Republicans to tie passage of the Iran deal to the release of American prisoners in Iran.
“Playing them as part of a floor strategy by Republicans is risky,” he said. “I’ll close by saying the press reports last night explain why we’re wasting a week in the United States Senate,” referencing Wednesday night’s CNN Republican presidential debate at the Reagan Library in California.
