Glenn Beck to join Trump, Cruz at anti-Iran deal rally

Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck is joining 2016 presidential contenders Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) at a Stop the Iran Deal Rally at the Capitol on Sept. 9.

The rally, organized by the Tea Party Patriots, Center for Security Policy, and Zionist Organization of America, takes place a day after lawmakers return from their recess and ahead of a vote on the nuclear deal.

“Glenn Beck’s decision to speak on September 9th at the Stop the Iran Deal Rally underlines the momentum behind the movement to stop President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran,” said Tea Party Patriots CEO and co-founder Jenny Beth Martin in a statement.

{mosads}It’s not clear if Beck and Trump will appear at the same time during the rally. Beck has disparaged Trump in recent weeks, calling him a false conservative and “arrogant.” Nevertheless, Trump has been a leading candidate in Republican presidential polls.

The appearance of both Trump and Beck comes as deal opponents pressure Democratic lawmakers on the fence to vote against the deal.

Rabbis from around the country are planning to hand-deliver a letter to those lawmakers, and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) also plans to organize meetings between activists and lawmakers the same week that they return.

Republicans are planning to introduce a resolution of disapproval of the deal, which would prevent U.S. sanctions from being lifted on Iran. In order to pass, they would need the support of six Democrats in the Senate. Only two Democrats in the upper chamber, though, Sens. Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Bob Menendez (N.J.), have publicly opposed the deal.

The president has also vowed to veto any such resolution blocking the deal, and both sides concede a two-thirds vote to override him would be difficult to obtain. Proponents are hoping to head off the need for a veto and are threatening to filibuster the resolution if they secure enough Democratic support.

A number of top Democrats are said to be undecided.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) is planning to announce his decision on the deal on Tuesday, at the University of Delaware.

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, who has expressed skepticism about the deal, has yet to declare his stance. He is one of several senators being lobbied hard by both the administration and deal opponents.

Martin said Beck’s appearance would help “give voice to the millions of Americans who oppose this dangerous nuclear deal with Iran.”

“Every day, more Americans are learning this deal ignores our Constitution by avoiding the treaty process and makes the world a more dangerous place by undermining both our national security and the security of our allies in the Middle East,” she said.

“The Stop the Iran Deal Rally will ensure those millions of voices are heard by everyone inside the U.S. Capitol.”