Overnight Defense: Dems grill Kerry on Iran deal

THE TOPLINE: Democrats harshly criticized the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran during a testy hearing on Tuesday, underscoring the difficulty the White House faces in winning over its own party.

Secretary of State John Kerry had several sharp exchanges with Jewish Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including ranking Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel (N.Y.), who said he was “very disappointed” with the agreement.

{mosads}Supporters and opponents of the Iran nuclear deal have focused on Jewish Democrats as both influencers and bellwethers in the debate.

“I have a fundamental concern that 15 years from now, Iran will essentially be off the hook,” Engel said. “My big question is this: what happens then? Are we back to square one? Is this deal just pushing the pause button for 15 years?” 

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) argued the deal was not legally binding and that a future administration could turn away from it.

“This is not a binding deal…  It’s not even an executive legislative agreement. It might be at most morally binding on this administration,” Sherman said.

Even as Kerry tangled with tough questions, the administration scored a significant victory in its congressional lobbying effort when Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), the longest-serving Jewish Democrat in Congress, announced his support for the agreement.

Levin’s endorsement was mentioned by Kerry at the hearing, and Democratic leaders emailed it to reporters.

“I believe that Israel, the region, and the world are far more secure if Iran does not move toward possession of a nuclear weapon,” Levin said in a statement. “I believe the agreement is the best way to achieve that.”

The House and Senate in September are expected to vote on measures that could scuttle the Iran deal. But President Obama has threatened to veto any effort to block the deal and critics would need two-thirds to override him.

Republicans hope to turn public opinion against the deal, which they think will put pressure on Democrats to oppose it.

A new CNN/ORC poll released Tuesday showed that Republicans might be gaining traction, with 52 percent saying Congress should reject the deal, and 44 percent saying it should be approved.

However, the poll also showed that 61 percent of Democrats say the deal should be approved by Congress.

WHITE HOUSE WOOING DEMS ON IRAN: The White House is hosting a reception for House Democrats on Wednesday, as it seeks to build support for the Iran deal, reports The Hill’s Jordan Fabian.

“The president invited House Democrats to the White House to talk about his legislative priorities, especially the Iran agreement,” White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Tuesday.

The White House is working hard to get congressional Democrats on board with the deal, and the president has become personally involved, meeting with and calling lawmakers to ask for their support.

Obama needs Democrats to help sink a resolution of disapproval against the deal later this year, or sustain a presidential veto if one passes, with Republicans in Congress expected to be united against the agreement.

ISRAEL TRIP: More than 40 House lawmakers will travel to Israel next month to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is a fierce critic of the deal, reports The Hill’s Scott Wong.

There are two congressional trips — one with Democrats, the other with Republicans, which occur every two years and are organized and is funded by an educational nonprofit affiliated with the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who is undecided about the Iran deal, said he hopes to hear from both opponents of the deal, as well as supporters, such as U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro.

“We’ll meet with Mr. Netanyahu, [and] I’m sure he will repeat his very deep concerns and the dangers he believes that the deal presents to Israel,” Hoyer told reporters. “We will speak to people in Israel who do not share his view.”

HOUSE LIFTS COLA FOR DISABLED VETS: The House passed legislation on Tuesday that would increase rates of benefit compensation for veterans with disabilities caused by their military service, reports The Hill’s Cristina Marcos.

The measure, which passed 409-0, hikes cost-of-living adjustments for benefits offered through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to keep up with inflation.

“Many disabled veterans and their families depend on VA benefits to pay for their housing, their food, and other necessities. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that VA benefits keep pace with the rate of inflation so that our nation’s heroes are able to make ends meet,” said House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.).

Cost-of-living adjustments for veterans’ disability benefits must be approved by Congress each year, unlike the automatic process for Social Security.

A three-month highway bill in the House would temporarily relieve a $3 billion shortfall at the Department of Veterans Affairs, preventing VA hospitals from closing in August.

The House is expected to vote Wednesday on the bill, which extends highway funding until the end of October and provides a short-term fix to the VA until Oct. 1.

ICYMI: 

— Florida man accused of supporting ISIS, plotting ‘backpack bombing’

— Possible cancer uptick at Gitmo investigated

— Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard to be released

— Spy head: ‘Lone wolves‘ bigger threat than al Qaeda

— State Dept to release 5,000 pages to Benghazi panel

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