Sen. Boxer Urges Delay on Iran Nuclear Deal Markup
Legislation to require congressional approval of a final Iran nuclear deal could jeopardize “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should push back a rapidly-approaching markup on the bill, said Senate Democrat Barbara Boxer, Calif., in an April 8 letter to Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the lead sponsor of the bill. Corker plans to mark up the legislation, S-615, on April 14 (see 1504020058).
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In the letter (here), Boxer said she already filed an amendment at the committee level to urge lawmakers to wait until a final deal is reached before voting on the oversight legislation. “To force Congress to weigh in now on the Iran nuclear talks before a final deal has been completed would be a reckless rush to judgment,” said Boxer in the letter. “It would simply be irresponsible to vote on legislation before we have seen the final terms of a deal.” Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., took over the Foreign Relations Committee ranking member position in recent days, but Boxer remains the second highest-ranking Democrat.
President Barack Obama said he would veto the legislation, S-615, before the U.S., Iran and several other world powers agreed to a framework deal in early April (see 1501200072). The negotiating parties now face a June 30 deadline for a final pact. In order to override a veto, lawmakers need a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Md., rejected the legislation in recent days (see 1504090008).