Democrats block resolution opposing Iran deal in Senate
Washington: US Senate Democrats blocked a united Republican resolution to reject a landmark nuclear deal with Iran, handing President Barack Obama a major victory on his foreign policy priority.
The resolution got 58-42 votes yesterday, as against 60 required to move it forward.
Soon thereafter, Obama said the Senate took a historic step forward and voted to enable the US to work with its international partners to enable the implementation of the comprehensive, long-term deal that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“This vote is a victory for diplomacy, for American national security, and for the safety and security of the world. For nearly two years, we negotiated from a position of strength to reach an agreement that meets our core objectives,” he said.
The Republicans, however, refused to concede defeat saying they would force Democrats to vote on Iran again next week.
“It will be all Iran next week,” Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn said. “There are going to be more votes. There will be other opportunities for people to change their mind next week, hopefully after they hear from their constituents.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry described the Senate vote as an important step forward toward the US and its international partners implementing the agreement reached in Vienna on July 14, 2015, to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
