Sen. Bob Menendez becomes second Democrat to oppose Iran nuclear deal

In his speech at the Seton Hall School of Diplomacy and worldwide Relations, Menendez committed not only to voting against the deal when the Senate returns next month, but also to voting to override a presidential veto.

Menendez has been critical of the multi-nation deal, in which Iran would curb its nuclear program in exchange for getting billions of dollars in relief from economic sanctions that have been choking its economy. Iran, he said, “will be flush with money”, a portion of it undoubtedly destined to further the regime’s “destabilizing, hegemonic goals in the region“.

The administration has said that it had not seen the text of the deals between Iran and the IAEA, but said that it would be willing to brief members of Congress about their contents in confidential meetings.

Obama’s supporters say killing the agreement after long negotiations involving the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russian Federation would fracture the worldwide coalition that has imposed sanctions and sink U.S. credibility.

Congress can override Obama’s veto if both chambers have a two-thirds majority vote in opposition to the deal, something that’s looking less and less likely.

The administration has warned that rejecting the deal would cause the rest of the world to back away from supporting US sanctions on Iran, leaving the US less influential and Iran emboldened.

Menendez on Tuesday became the second Senate Democrat to announce his rejection, joining Sen. However, Obama has vowed to veto a Congressional resolution of disapproval.

The “No” camp had earlier scored one success, persuading New York’s influential Jewish Democrat Chuck Schumer to oppose the agreement, but that was not enough to stem the tide.

Senator McConnell also noted that the next president could review Obama’s executive agreement with Iran in a year and a half. Bob Menendez in voicing opposition to the Iran nuclear agreement Tuesday.

“They thought this deal – and it is not clear if it will be passed in Iran or in America – would open up Iran to their influence“.

The FDD is a Washington think tank promoting U.S. military intervention in the Middle East, a hawkish stance against Iran, and the defense of right-wing Israeli policy.

Republicans nearly all of them fight the warranty and intend to… Not even one certrifuge will be destroyed under this agreement.

The count of Senate Democrats who have said they will back the president on Iran is now up to 24, with another seven expected to lend their support to the deal as well.

Markey pointed to limitations placed on Iran’s nuclear program and the level of inspections under the deal as reasons why he would support the agreement. The White House said Obama has talked individually or in small groups with almost 100 lawmakers since the deal was announced last month, with Cabinet and senior administration officials reaching out to dozens more.