US Democrats see “fire wall” holding to preserve Iran nuclear deal

Pelosi stated she was assured that if, as anticipated, Republicans move a “decision of disapproval” to attempt to sink the deal, a promised veto of that measure by President Barack Obama can be sustained.

A new Quinnipiac poll has found that American voters oppose the nuclear deal with Iran by a two-to-one margin.

“More plus much more of these gems (House Democrats) have approved to me that often…” Congress has until mid- to late September to decide on the deal.

Powerful professional-Israel lobbying teams that consider it will endanger the Jewish state by empowering Iran have been particularly lively, though some professional-Israel factions help the deal.

A handful of key Democrats stepped forward to support the accord within hours of Obama’s personal lobbying at the White House last week, part of the administration’s all-out campaign since the pact was announced July 14. Schumer says he has not made up his thoughts. NSA Director Susan Rice, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Vice President Joe Biden have briefed Democratic members of Congress and held press conferences about the pact with hopes of changing the cold reception it has received thus far. But the wide support from Republicans just weeks after the nonproliferation deal was sent to Congress shows the breadth of skepticism within the GOP. “We don’t need to be an island right now”, said Grijalva, who has pledged to support it.

To date, no Senate Democrat has formally introduced opposition, though many are undecided. Iran has threatened to destroy Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the agreement.

Schiff calls for making the nuclear deal stronger by taking a series of steps to ensure Iran is following the terms of the agreement and establishing “the expectation that while Iran will be permitted to have an enrichment capability for civilian use, it will never be permitted to produce highly enriched uranium”.

Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan, a prominent Jewish Democrat, backed the deal. “But that being said, what pathway do we have?” Congressional votes interrupted the meeting, but some 20 lawmakers took Obama up on his offer to return to the White House after the vote to ask questions for some two hours. “I’m not going to let pressure or politics or party get in the way of that”.