House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy threatened “extensive oversight” from Congress if President Obama seeks a nuclear arms deal with Iran that circumvents Congress.
McCarthy, R-Calif., said congressional intervention would hinge on the deal Obama tries to make with Iran.
“Congress will not simply look the other way if the administration agrees to a deal that does not make sufficient progress in rolling back Iran’s nuclear program,” McCarthy said.
According to media reports, administration officials have told Obama he has the authority to unilaterally lift sanctions against Iran as part of a nuclear agreement.
Obama would have difficulty getting the support of the two-thirds of Congress that would typically be needed to agree to lift sanctions, as many lawmakers believe the nuclear arms deal now under negotiation does not go far enough to ensure Iran does not develop the capabilities to build a nuclear weapon.
“As the president and his team know full well, there is overwhelming, bipartisan concern on Capitol Hill about Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, its sponsorship of terrorism, its promotion of instability throughout the region, and its appalling human rights record,” McCarthy said.
Obama is said to be willing to agree to a deal that allows Iran to maintain the ability to enrich uranium in order to develop the use of nuclear energy for its citizens. But critics believe if Iran is allowed to continue its nuclear program, it will keep working on the development of a nuclear weapon.
