US Democrats Seek Extension of Sanctions

US Senate Democrats are demanding Majority Leader Mitch McConnell bring up a straight 10-year extension of key Iran sanctions once lawmakers return to Washington next month. Seven Democrats sent a letter to the Kentucky Republican asking that he “prioritize” a clean extension of the Iran Sanctions Act during the Senate’s end-of-year session, the Hill reported on Wednesday. “Passing this vital legislation before its expiration is crucial to ensuring with the utmost certainty that the United States will continue to have the sanctions enforcement mechanism our national security demands,” they wrote. The Iran Sanctions Act will expire at the end of the year without congressional action. Though there is widespread support for extending ISA, lawmakers are deeply divided over what should be included in an extension. Top Democrats, including Minority Leader Harry Reid and Sens. Charles Schumer and Ben Cardin, introduced an extension that would run through 2026 earlier the year. Meanwhile, senators Tim Kaine and Chris Murphy introduced a separate proposal that would let the Iran Sanctions Act expire after approximately eight years, if Iran complies with the nuclear deal.