Page 4 - ARUBA TODAY SEPT 9
P. 4
A4
U.S. NEWSWednesday 9 September
Democrats clinch enough votes for Iran nuclear deal
Associated Press for the international agree- dollars in relief from inter- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., discusses the Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — The ment in a coordinated national sanctions in ex- nuclear agreement during his speech at the Carnegie Endow-
White House and insis- burst. That pushed support- change for a decade of ment for International Peace in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 8,
tent U.S. Senate Democrats ers to the crucial 41-vote constraints on the country’s 2015. Lawmakers returning to Washington from their summer re-
locked up the votes Tues- total that would allow them nuclear program. The deal cess are plunging immediately into bitter, partisan debate over
day to frustrate attempts to block a Republican dis- aims to keep Iran at least a the Iran nuclear accord. The deal struck by Iran, the U.S. and
by outraged Republicans approval resolution with a year away from being able five world powers in July is aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear pro-
to pass a legislative rebuke delaying tactic and pre- to produce enough nucle- gram in exchange for hundreds of billions of dollars in relief for
to the Iran nuclear accord. vent a final vote. ar material for a weapon. economic sanctions.
Three previously unde- The agreement struck by “There is no better deal
clared Senate Democrats Iran, the U.S., China, Rus- available now,” declared (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
— Richard Blumenthal , Ron sia, France, Britain and Ger- Blumenthal, one of the Sen-
Wyden and Gary Peters — many in July would provide ate’s Jewish Democrats,
announced their support Iran hundreds of billions of announcing his support for
an accord that is strongly of a hectic three weeks on
opposed by Israeli leaders Capitol Hill. Congress must
as well as Republican sen- also find a way to keep the
ators. The three lawmakers government funded past
were among just a hand- the end of the fiscal year
ful of undeclared senators Sept. 30, and lawmakers
and were all considered will host a historic visit from
possible “no” votes. Com- Pope Francis.
ing on the first day of Con- It remained uncertain Tues-
gress’ fall session after a day if all 41 senators now
five-week summer recess, on record in favor of the
their announcements were Iran deal would hold to-
a dramatic start to what gether on the procedural
promises to be a bitter, par- maneuvers necessary to
tisan debate on the deal delay debate. And the de-
aimed at curbing Iran’s velopments didn’t change
nuclear program. the ultimate outcome,
The debate will take on which has been clear for
some of the trappings of days: Even if the disap-
a political circus Wednes- proval resolution should
day with Republican presi- pass the House and Sen-
dential candidate Donald ate this week, President
Trump preparing to head- Barack Obama would veto
line an anti-accord rally it, and Democrats have the
outside the Capitol. votes in hand to sustain his
It will play out at the start veto.q
