Sens. Rubio and Corker Push Amendments To Secure Congressional Review Of Iran Deal

Ali Khamenei
AP Photo

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider Sen. Bob Corker’s measure that would ensure Congress must have a chance to approve any nuclear deal with Iran.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will preside over a committee meeting Tuesday to hear debate and votes on the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015.

Corker’s proposal gives Congress 60 days following the final negotiations to approve the deal before any sanctions on Iran could be lifted.

Politico reports that amendments might be pending in order to gain bipartisan support and the 13 Democrats votes the measure would need in order to avoid a potential Obama veto.

According to Politico, Corker will open up his bill for amendment votes.

Corker and Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, who replaced Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey as Democrat ranking member of the committee, reportedly stayed in touch over the two week recess while Congress was away, but a meeting of the minds has yet to be achieved.

“They are still talking, which is good,” one aide told Politico. “Key differences still remain.”

Breitbart News learned Monday that Sen. Marco Rubio, a co-sponsor of Corker’s bill, also filed amendments.

A spokesman from Rubio’s office told Breitbart News that Rubio continues to have serious concerns that the negotiations are leading toward allowing Iran to continue its nuclear program.

Speaking about Tuesday’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting, the spokesman told Breitbart News, Rubio “looks forward to debating this issue and reserves the opportunity to call up any of these amendments for a vote with the goal of strengthening the bill and making sure the American people’s voices are heard on the future of Iran’s nuclear program.”

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) also co-sponsored and played a significant role in crafting the bill.

“I believe Congress should weigh in on the content of the deal given the centrality of the congressional sanctions to the entire negotiation and the significant security interests involved,” Kaine has said. “This legislation sets up a clear and constructive process for Congressional review of statutory sanctions relief under a standard that is appropriately deferential to the executive branch negotiating the deal.”

The legislation also is cosponsored by Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Angus King (I-Maine).

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