Schumer, No. 3 Senate Democrat, to oppose Iran nuclear deal

A powerful Democrat says he’s opposing President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran. Pressure on them and other Jewish lawmakers had grown as Israel’s government, and some pro-Israel lobbying groups, said the agreement would open the way for Iran to get a nuclear weapon and threaten Israel’s existence.

The US Congress has until September 17th to consider a resolution of disapproval of the Iran deal, which would eliminate Mr Obama’s ability to waive all sanctions on Iran imposed by the US Congress, a key component of the agreement. The disapproval vote will be held when Congress returns from recess in September.

“Advocates on both sides have strong cases for their point of view that can not simply be dismissed”, Mr. Schumer said in a lengthy statement.

Schumer, expected to be the next Democratic leader of the Senate, has become the first Senate Democrat to oppose the agreement.

Schumer said his biggest concern regarding the deal is that after 10 years, numerous restrictions against Iran are removed. “So this is a line of questioning that came up when Senator Reid announced his retirement”.

Boroujerdi, former president of the global Society for Iranian Studies, said he believes Schumer’s decision ultimately won’t upend the agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for ending economic sanctions.

Schumer would also vote to override the President’s veto on Iran deal, an aide told CNN on Friday morning, meaning he is prepared to vote “no” twice against the President.

The senator disclosed his decision a day after Obama warned in a major speech that the only alternative to the nuclear deal is another war in the Middle East.

For his part, Schumer seems disinclined to launch any meaningful lobbying action against the deal as his colleagues begin to publicize their own positions.

Schumer’s defection is unlikely to seriously undermine the agreement, which needs support from only a single vote more than one-third of the House and Senate to sustain Obama’s promised veto of “any legislation that prevents the successful implementation of this deal”. Angus King of Maine, have announced their support for the deal.

“I will vote to disapprove the agreement, not because I believe war is a viable or desirable option, nor to challenge the path of diplomacy“, Schumer wrote in his statement. And he is one of the nation’s most prominent Jewish Democrats.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who has come out in favor of the deal, and 150 Democratic lawmakers from the House signed a letter encouraging the negotiations, indicating they will likely back the agreement.

If enough Democrats vote down the bill, then Congress could override a potential presidential veto, which would kill the agreement for good, CBS2’s Andrea Grymes reported.