By unveiling new legislation, Congress continues its attempt to prevent the Obama administration from finalizing a deal with Iran that would threaten the world.
A bipartisan group of senators unveiled legislation on Friday that would require a congressional review of any deal that the Obama administration and the other Six World Powers strike with Iran regarding its nuclear program, AP reports.
The bill mandates that President Barack Obama submit the text of any pact to Congress. It also bars the administration from suspending further Congress-imposed sanctions on Iran for 60 days.
In that time, Congress would hold hearings and have a chance to approve, condemn or take no action on the agreement.
The legislation is a new challenge to Obama’s authority and is likely to draw a veto threat, AP reports. Such congressional scrutiny could thwart the finalizing of a deal.
This is another congressional move that would ensure oversight on any deal Obama tries to sign with Iran. The Senate submitted the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 in January, a bill that promotes the placing of further sanctions on Iran if negotiations between the P5+1 powers and Iran fail. The bill stipulates the leveling of further sanctions against Iran after the June 30th deadline.
A Priority Issue of National Security
Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), respectively chairman and top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are leading the move on this legislation.
“There are few national security priorities for our country more important than preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and any agreement that seeks to do this must include Congress having a say on the front end,” Corker said in a statement.
Menendez, a leading proponent of economic and other sanctions on Iran, said Congress will have a chance to review any agreement, “and more importantly, ensure its compliance after it goes into effect. This legislation establishes that vital review and oversight process.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for Washington on Sunday to address a special bipartisan session of Congress on Iran’s nuclear threat, scheduled for Tuesday.
Netanyahu is determined to address Congress despite anger expressed by the White House and notwithstanding the diplomatic and political strife generated on this issue.
Netanyahu has repeatedly stated his belief that addressing Congress on the Iranian nuclear threat is his “sacred duty” as prime minister of Israel. A “bad deal” between Tehran and Washington poses an existential threat to Israel and the world at large, he maintains.
By: Aryeh Savir
Staff Writer, United with Israel
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