Senate passes Iran nuclear review bill, House up next
The US Senate voted overwhelmingly on May 7 to pass a bill giving Congress the right to review, and potentially reject, an international agreement with Iran aimed at keeping it from developing nuclear weapons.
The 98-1 vote sent the measure to the House of Representatives, which could consider it as soon as next week. The White House said President Barack Obama would sign it into law if it also passes the House, as expected, without significant changes.
"I look forward to House passage of this bill to hold President Obama's administration accountable," John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the House, said in a statement supporting the bill shortly after the Senate vote.
The bill gives Congress 30 days to review a final nuclear deal after international negotiators reach such an agreement, and during that time bars Obama from temporarily waiving any US sanctions on Iran that were passed by Congress.
If the Senate and House pass a resolution of disapproval of the deal, it would prevent Obama from offering any waiver of congressional sanctions, the overwhelming majority of US sanctions on Iran.
Such sanctions can only be permanently lifted by Congress.
Lawmakers made clear another battle, over a final nuclear deal, lays ahead. "Make no mistake, that will not be the end of the story," Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a speech urging the bill's passage.