There’s a lot to be said about the Iran deal.
Depending on the poll you turn to, there are varying degrees of support from the American public. None of them are that high though, and Pew showed only 21 percent are in favor of the agreement. CNN’s poll showed a plurality of Americans, at 37 percent, find it “extremely likely” that Iran will cheat.
The House rejected the deal by a vote of 242-169.
Barack Obama may have enough votes from loyal Democrats to claim victory. And the president certainly hasn’t been shy to remind everyone, even if it amounts to him making false statements.
Republicans aren’t making it easy for him though.
The Hill reported that Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell does not support the “nuclear option,” which would change Senate rules to prevent a filibuster on a resolution that would kill the deal.
Instead, McConnell has added an amendment to the deal which would prevent Obama from lifting sanctions against Iran unless two qualifications were met: Iran “must formally recognize Israel’s right to exist, and it must release the American citizens being held in Iranian custody.”
A procedural vote on the amendment is scheduled for Thursday.
The Hill points out that such a “procedural hardball” comes after Democrats blocked a resolution of disapproval on the deal from overcoming procedural hurdles, again.
They say such a vote “could put Democrats in a tough spot.”
It’s worth wondering why this has to be so “tough.” It shouldn’t be tough” to support Israel, an ally whose interests are the ones America really should be keeping in mind.
And it definitely shouldn’t be “tough” to free the four Americans who have suffered at the hands of a brutal theocracy. These four men are living proof that Iran violates human rights.
As McConnell pointed out, the Senate unanimously voted to call on Iran to release those prisoners. Why would the Democrats throw away such an opportunity then?
The vote could be a chance then to fix the deal at least enough so that Americans return home and our ally feels safer. It could also improve the percentages of those who support the deal.
Unfortunately though, Sen. Minority Leader Harry Reid has suggested the Democrats are likely to block such an amendment.
