Senate

Wednesday: Iran debate

by Jordain Carney - 09/09/15 9:59 AM ET

Lawmakers are homing in on the Iran nuclear deal, with both chambers scheduled to debate the agreement on Wednesday.

House lawmakers will begin consideration of a resolution of disapproval on the Iran nuclear deal, with votes in the House expected between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

{mosads}Meanwhile, the Senate will formally start debate on the Iran deal, after senators took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to outline their positions. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he expects “all Senators to be present in the chamber beginning tomorrow afternoon to commence debate on this issue.”

President Obama has 42 supporters in the Senate, meaning he could prevent the resolution of disapproval from initially passing the Senate if 41 supporters vote no on cloture.

A handful of Senate Democrats have remained tightlipped on if they will support a filibuster. If they don’t, Obama could be forced to veto the resolution, marking the fifth time he’s used a veto since taking office.

McConnell and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) are battling over how to proceed on the resolution. They both blocked attempts by the other to set up a vote on the resolution for Thursday.

Senators are also expected to recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for weekly party lunches.

Congress has until Sept. 17 to pass a resolution on the Iran deal.

Tags Harry Reid Mitch McConnell