Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday that Congress distrusted Iran enough that if President Obama’s nuclear deal does not include unfettered inspections, among other provisions the Islamic nation has resisted, lawmakers will not only reject it but they will have the votes necessary to override a veto.
“There is no way we are going to accept a deal that doesn’t allow inspections anytime, anywhere,” Graham told “Fox News Sunday.”
As host Chris Wallace noted, the Iran deal will be sent to the Senate but its vote will not necessarily be final. If the Senate rejects it, Obama could veto the rejection. Graham said that even in that scenario, there would be sufficient votes to override the veto. Only 34 senators would need to vote against an override for the effort to fail. There are 44 Democrats in the Senate and two independents who caucus with them. An override would also require a two-thirds vote in the House.
“Barack Obama’s deal is deteriorating before our eyes,” Graham said, adding that he didn’t think there was a “snowball’s chance in hell” it would get congressional approval.
The senator, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, is leaning toward a presidential bid.
