Moniz: Dems not ‘squishy’ on Iran

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz appeared to break with President Obama on Friday, by denying that congressional Democrats are getting “squishy” on the nuclear deal with Iran. 

Instead, Moniz appeared confident the deal would avoid a death knell on Capitol Hill and would go into effect later this year. 

{mosads}“Squishy? I wouldn’t use that term,” Moniz told reporters at the White House.

Moniz has become a regular fixture on Capitol Hill this month, in an effort to sell lawmakers on the merits of the deal to set restrictions on Iran’s nuclear ability in exchange for the rolling back of sanctions. He has been particularly focused on Democrats, who are seen as swing votes on the accord and are considered the backstop for the administration.

“I am very frankly pleased at how many members are digging into the documents, both the public and confidential documents that we have supplied,” he added.

“I think this deal will certainly go into effect.”

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have repeatedly praised Moniz’s candor and expertise during his public and private meetings on the Hill.

On Thursday evening, President Obama appeared less optimistic about the chances of the deal on Capitol Hill.

In a phone call with thousands of liberal activists, Obama told them to keep up the pressure because he “can’t carry” the deal alone.

Democratic lawmakers are under “fierce, well-financed and relentless” pressure, Obama added. 

“I can tell when they start getting squishy.”

During the multiples briefings, lawmakers had yet to propose an alternative better deal than the negotiations by the Obama administration and other international allies, Moniz said.

“I’ve not heard one, to be honest — at least not one that has the same impact as the agreement does,” he said.

“If we now undercut this agreement, it’s hard to see how there would not be very negative consequences — and very negative consequences that we would see very quickly.”