Corker expects ‘overwhelming vote’ on Iran bill Thursday

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said Tuesday that he expects an “overwhelming vote” on Thursday in favor of legislation that would allow Congress to review a nuclear deal with Iran.

Corker also said he believes that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will file cloture on the bill and end debate, which could prevent the Senate from voting on a controversial amendment that would require Iran to recognize Israel as part of the deal.

{mosads}“My sense is that cloture is going to be filed,” Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters. “My sense is that Thursday there’s a very strong chance that we’ll get an overwhelming vote.”

The future of the Iran bill was thrown into question last week after Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) used a procedural tactic to try to force a vote on an
amendment to the legislation that would require Iran to publicly support Israel’s right to exist as part of a final agreement on its nuclear deal.

Democrats argue that amendment would likely pass — but would also kill the bill if it were approved. 

McConnell has not said whether he’ll allow a vote on the amendment or file cloture on the underlying measure. He’s been working with other senators on a possible deal.

The GOP leader told reporters on Tuesday that he would file cloture “very soon,” but added that he continues to look for a path forward to allow for additional amendment votes.

“We’re still hoping there’s a way forward that will give some of our members an opportunity to have votes on some of their amendments,” he said. “But we anticipate finishing the Iran bill very soon.”