Barack Obama’s hopes of keeping the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers on track have been dealt a setback after one of the top Democrats in the Senate said he would oppose the agreement.
Advertisement
Schumer, expected to be the next Democratic leader of the Senate, has become the first Senate Democrat to oppose the agreement.
“There’s no denying that this difference of opinion that emerged overnight is one that has existed between Senator Schumer and President Obama for over a decade”, Earnest said, adding that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Democrats punish the New York Senator over his act.
“Like many Jewish Democrats, Mr. Schumer approached the agreement under pressure from his constituents, the administration, and his own personal history and faith”, the New York Times reported on Thursday.
Under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act signed into law in May, Congress has the chance to prevent the president from waiving or suspending the congressional sanctions if they have a 67-vote-strong veto-proof majority who opposes the deal.
Sherman said he is concerned that Iran can delay inspections of suspected nuclear sites up to 24 days under terms of the deal, and that it would release cash to Iran that it could use to purchase nuclear weapons from North Korea.
Since most, if not all, Republicans oppose the deal, attention (and lobbying efforts by the administration and others) has focused on undecided Democrats. So has Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.
He said the good part of the deal is the requirement for Iran to give up 97 percent of its stockpile of enriched uranium and decommission two-thirds of its centrifuges. In attempt to gain support, the White House has held dozens of classified briefings with Congress and made public appearances in an attempt to answer questions of skeptical senators.
The U.S. Congress has until September 17 to consider a resolution of disapproval of the Irandeal, which would eliminate Obama’s ability to waive all sanctions on Iran imposed by the U.S. Congress, a key component of the agreement.
The agreement provides Tehran with sanctions relief in return for unprecedented curbs and inspections on its nuclear program. He informed the White House of his decision Thursday afternoon.
A subtext of the Iran issue is the tension between Schumer and the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, Dick Durbin of Illinois, and the implications for next year’s choice of a successor to Reid.
Schumer would also vote to override the President’s veto on Iran deal, an aide told CNN on Friday morning, meaning he is prepared to vote “no” twice against the President.
A few other Democrats have also joined with Republicans, who are almost unanimous in opposition.
Advertisement
For his part, Mr Schumer praised Mr Obama and Mr Kerry for their “painstaking months and years pushing Iran to come to an agreement”, but was unconvinced by their weeks of lobbying on the merits of the deal.
