Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, a veteran lawmaker who is retiring next year, has announced her support for the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, assuring President Obama that he will have the minimum of 34 votes he needs to protect the deal from a GOP resolution of disapproval.
“No deal is perfect, especially one negotiated with the Iranian regime,” Mikulski wrote in a statement Wednesday. “I have concluded that this Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb. For these reasons, I will vote in favor of this deal. However, Congress must also reaffirm our commitment to the safety and security of Israel.”
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Mikulski’s announcement has sealed Obama’s victory over near unanimous opposition from congressional Republicans and the 17 Republican presidential candidates, and comes on the heels of announcements yesterday by Democratic Sens. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Christopher Coons of Delaware that they would formally back the deal.
The agreement reached in Vienna in July between Iran, the U.S. and five other major countries would force Iran to curb its nuclear weapons program for 15 years in return for a lifting of economic sanctions against it.
Under the terms of bipartisan legislation agreed to earlier this year by Republican leaders and Obama, Congress has the right to review the final terms of the agreement and then consider a resolution of disapproval if it chooses. But even if the Republican-controlled Congress manages to approve such a resolution rejecting the agreement, Obama has vowed to veto such legislation. With at least 34 Senate Democrats now on Obama’s side, it would be impossible for the 100-member Senate to muster the two thirds majority needed for an override.
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Supporters of the deal, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NM) and Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin of Illinois, now are attempting to amass a total of 41 votes to filibuster the resolution of disapproval. If they succeed, that means it’s possible the resolution will not be brought up for a vote.
