Will Senate Block Anti-Iraq-Deal Vote?
The good folks over at The Hill say that for now, at least. it’s too close to call:
Click here for reuse options!President Obama and his allies are working overtime to kill a resolution disapproving the Iran nuclear deal in the Senate, in what would be a major victory for the White House.
The measure, which is certain to be approved by the GOP-led House in September, needs 60 votes in the Senate to break a filibuster and reach Obama’s desk.
If it gets to Obama, it will be vetoed, and it’s far from clear that opponents of the Iran deal could muster the two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate to override him.
But make no mistake. The White House doesn’t want the measure to get that far, and if it does, it will be a victory for Republicans.
Democratic aides in the Senate predict they will be able to hold their ranks, but people on both sides of the fight say it will be a close call.
With Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Democratic leader in waiting backing the disapproval measure, aides say opponents likely need just four or five additional no votes to win the day.
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), who is leading the push to round up votes to block the resolution, won’t predict an outcome.
“It’s unrealistic that we would win a majority,” he said in an interview. “At this point, I’m not getting any numbers out but we’re working with all members and the response has been positive.”
While Schumer’s opposition to the deal was a blow, Sens. Jon Tester (Mont.) and Al Franken (Minn.) came out in favor of the agreement on Thursday, swelling the number of Senate supporters to 20.
“The momentum is with the deal right now. The opponents have not been able to describe what is the better alternative. The opponents can get to 56. I don’t know if they get to 60,” said one senior Democratic aide.
“Most people are pretty confident that he’ll still hang on,” said a second staffer.
Still, there are some key Senate Democrats who have not backed Obama’s deal yet, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and another member of his leadership team, Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.).
Obama hopes to win over Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), but there’s no guarantee any Republican will back the deal.
Many expect Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the former chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, to vote for the resolution of disapproval. …
The other Democrats considered most in play are Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.), the senior Democrat on the Foreign Relations panel, who has strong relationship with the American Israel Political Action Committee, and Sen. Michael Bennet (Colo.), the most vulnerable Democrat facing re-election next year. …
Opponents are targeting Flake, and Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) with similar campaigns.
Democratic aides predict Reid and Murray will ultimately back Obama’s deal.
Copyright 2015 Liberaland
By: dave-dr-gonzo
David Hirsch, a.k.a. Dave "Doctor" Gonzo*, is a renegade record producer, video producer, writer, reformed corporate shill, and still-registered lobbyist for non-one-percenter performing artists and musicians. He lives in a heavily fortified compound in one of Manhattan's less trendy neighborhoods.
* Hirsch is the third person to use the pseudonym, a not-so-veiled tribute to journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, with the permission of his predecessors Gene Gaudette of American Politics Journal (currently webmaster and chief bottlewasher at Liberaland) and Stephen Meese at Smashmouth Politics.
5 responses to Will Senate Block Anti-Iraq-Deal Vote?
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Mike August 14th, 2015 at 11:03
Exactly how stupid are the republicans….????
The sanctions are going no matter what…the Russians, Chinese, and Europeans, have said as much. If the US tries to attack Iran, Russia said it would be considered an attack on the Russian homeland.
So it comes to this deal…sanctions lifted over a period of years as certain criteria is met and no attacking Iran
The deal is a thousand times better than no deal so why would anyone be for that…it boggles the mind how stupid the R’s are playing this one.
whatthe46 August 14th, 2015 at 13:57
because Obama. the butthurt continues.
Pilotshark August 14th, 2015 at 11:46
“Sen. Michael Bennet (Colo.), the most vulnerable Democrat facing re-election next year. ”
and he is still placing his fingers into the wind here? smh you can carry the day if you just say yes. and get the hell off the fence, especially while it is leaning the wrong direction.
wpadon August 14th, 2015 at 16:49
Senator Bob Casey is another one who may side with the Republicans over peace.
OUTinMinnesota August 14th, 2015 at 16:51
The headline for this article: Will Senate Block Anti-Iraq-Deal Vote? seems to be out of step with the content of an article about Iran.
Website credibility, blah, blah, blah when there is editorial disregard for two different countries – Iraq and Iran.