WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) — The U.S. Senate on Thursday easily killed a Republican effort that tried to kill the nuclear accord the Obama administration struck with Iran earlier this summer.
The resolution sought to withhold approval of the deal, which mandates congressional ratification. Many in the GOP have railed against the deal, which lifts economic sanctions against Tehran in exchange for Iran’s limiting its nuclear program to the laboratory.
Five other nations also participated in talks with Iran and ratified the agreement.
In the end, it was the Republican plan that was defeated — not the nuclear pact. The Senate voted 58-to-42 against the resolution.
“This vote is a victory for diplomacy, for American national security and for the safety and security of the world,” President Barack Obama said in a statement Thursday night.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives, though, has already passed a similar resolution. If the resolution hadn’t failed Thursday, it’s likely the house would have signed off on it — and sent it to Obama’s desk, where it almost certainly would have been met with a veto.
“Today’s outcome is clear, decisive and final,” Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nv, said. “There is now no doubt whatsoever that the United States Congress will allow this historic agreement to proceed.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he’d try again to open debate on the bill next week, The Washington Post reported.
McConnell said earlier that it would be “tragic” if Democrats did not allow a final vote on the Iran deal to be carried out.
“What a tragedy it would be then if at the very last moment some of those same senators decided to filibuster to prevent the American people from having a real say on this incredibly important issue,” he said. “I know some of our colleagues are currently under immense pressure to shut down the voice of the people.”
