While talk of the Iran deal dominated most of the evening, the mostly receptive audience also peppered Garrett with other questions on topics ranging from the GOP leadership in the House to trade agreements and housing discrimination legislation.
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Supporters of the Iran nuclear deal see growing momentum on their side in the Senate, raising the possibility they’ll be able to block a disapproval resolution and protect President Barack Obama from having to use his veto pen.
In the days since Schumer announced his opposition to the deal August 6, only one other Democratic senator has done the same, and that announcement from Sen.
Still, several Jewish Democrats have come out against the deal, exposing a divide in the party.
The State Department reacted to the letter by laughing it off. Spokesman John Kirby was grilled by AP reporter Matt Lee about why a letter of support for the deal signed by a significantly lower number of military experts has been touted by the administration, while this new letter is being written off.
Only two Senate Democrats have announced their opposition: Sens.
For weeks, those counting votes have been watching for two numbers: 34 Senate Democrats (including independents Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine) and 43 House Democrats.
Reid said the deal, which lifts economic sanctions against the rogue nation for pledges to limit its nuclear program, is the “best way” to curtail Iran’s military ambitions, and he pledged to round up more support to thwart its opponents.
Far-left Rep. Alan Grayson (D., Fla.) ripped the Iran nuclear deal in an interview with Al Jazeera America on Thursday morning, saying all it does is “mothball” Iran’s nuclear ambitions and does “nothing” to bring about peace or address Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism.
“I want to thank my dear friend, your outstanding senator, Harry Reid for holding this summit and for keeping us focused on this challenge”, Obama said.
Republican support for the deal, which was agreed in mid-July, fell to 19 percent from around 26 percent in the July survey.
Unless another 11 Senate Democrats decide to vote against the deal, its opponents will not have the votes to keep the agreement from going into effect.
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He noted that Democratic U.S. Sens. “He’s a respected fellow, he’s been around for a long time, but I think it’s a poor legacy for him to leave”. The argument is that undecided Democrats should not feel as if the fact that the veto won’t get over-ridden frees them up to oppose the deal – which would make it harder to get to 41 and avoid the override fight. He plans to announce his decision on Tuesday, September 1 at the University of Delaware’s institute for global studies. “Twice this country has voted to support this president”.
