Senate Democrats Block Vote On Iran Deal; House Weighs In, Too

WASHINGTON (September 10, 2015) The Iran nuclear deal survived a key vote Thursday in the U.S. Senate, in a victory for President Barack Obama.

Democrats held together to block a resolution of disapproval against the deal.

The vote was 58-42 in favor of proceeding, but 60 votes were needed for the resolution to advance to a final vote.

The outcome means the disapproval resolution will not reach Mr. Obama's desk, and the nuclear deal will move forward unchecked by Congress.

For Mr. Obama it was an unlikely victory on the hard-won accord over unanimous Republican opposition.

Senate Republicans are vowing they'll keep on fighting.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called for a straight up-down vote on the agreement.

"For Democrats to filibuster this legislation and deny the American people a voice in the most consequential foreign policy debate Congress has undertaken in the past decade is unconscionable. Whether you support or oppose the President's deal with Iran, the American people deserve an up or down vote on something that so greatly affects our national security not just now but for a generation to come. Democrats must drop the partisan games and let the American people have a say."

House Republicans also are still maneuvering to find a way to stop the international agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program.

But those efforts seem unlikely to produce results.

The House Thursday was voting on separate measures intended to derail the agreement, including one that says Mr. Obama failed to comply with the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act by withholding information on side deals between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"President Obama must provide the complete and full details of all side deals, and verbal agreements made between Iran and other negotiating parties, including the IAE.," Carter said.

"It is outrageous that this President and his Administration have allowed Iran to enter into secret agreements with the IAEA that provide opportunities for Iran to undermine inspections and potentially develop a nuclear weapon," he said.

U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, joined Republicans in voting to approve the measure.

"We are worried by what we know about this deal, and we are even more worried that there is still more we do not know," Flores said.

"This Administration has not been forthcoming with Congress and the American people about the true scope of this deal and its impact. By withholding information, the president is failing to comply with the law he signed," he said.

Central Texas U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, questioned Mr. Obama's commitment to protecting Israel.

"As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned in his address to Congress earlier this year, ‘Iran's regime poses a grave threat, not only to Israel, but also to the peace of the entire world.' I agree with his assessment," he said.

"Despite warnings from those within President Barack Obama's own party and leaders of ally nations, I am afraid this president is more concerned with leaving a lasting legacy than guaranteeing the safety of America, Israel and the world," he said.