Senate

McConnell: Pass Iran bill

by Jordain Carney - 04/30/15 11:00 AM ET

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday pressed his colleagues to pass a key piece of Iran legislation that has been slowed by a debate over dozens of amendments.

“Now is the time for Congress to pass the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act,” he said, referring to the legislation spearheaded by Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). The bill “will ensure Congress gets a vote,” he said.

{mosads}Senators began debating the legislation last week, but the process has been slowed as Republicans have introduced more than 60 amendments, including proposals that would force Democrats to take politically tough votes.

Conservative Republicans are worried that the Corker bill doesn’t give Congress enough of a say, and want to link the legislation to support for Israel and Americans currently being held by Iran.

McConnell suggested that lawmakers are focused on “one point above all else, that the American people and Congress deserve a say before any congressional sanctions are lifted.”

The Kentucky Republican also suggested that a vote in Congress would have an impact beyond President Obama’s time in office.

“So will the president’s successor want to consider Congress’s view of any comprehensive deal,” he said. “A failed resolution of approval … would send an unmistakable signal about congressional opposition to lifting the sanctions.”

Tags Iran Mitch McConnell