US Senate Republicans were to try a second time on Tuesday to move ahead on a resolution rejecting the Iran nuclear deal, and the outcome was expected to be the same: Democrats were poised to block the measure and preserve President US Barack Obama's foreign policy win.
Last week, senate Democrats blocked Republican attempts to get a disapproval resolution to Obama's desk and house Republicans settled for passing two related measures that are never expected to get out of Congress, the AP reported. The international accord backed by the United States, Iran and five world powers would temporarily curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had scheduled another vote Tuesday to end debate, but that motion was likely to be blocked by senate Democrats as well.
Republicans now are working to craft new sanctions legislation to maintain a hardline stance against Iran. Looking ahead to next year's elections, Republican campaign committees also have targeted Democrats who backed the deal and some organizations against the deal already have threatened to withdraw political contributions from members of Congress who backed it. The National Republican Congressional Committee issued several statements on Monday criticizing individual Democrats who were in favor of the deal, including those in Connecticut, Florida and New York.
