US Senate to vote on anti-Iran bill next week

Senators in the US Congress will vote next week on legislation that would require congressional approval on a final nuclear agreement with Iran despite a veto threat from the White House.

US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday Congress must be given authority to approve or reject the nuclear agreement being negotiated between Iran and other members of the P5+1 group.

"We think the timing is important," McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, told reporters.

"We think it will help prevent the administration from entering into a bad deal. But if they do, then it will provide an opportunity for Congress to weigh in ... which has almost always been the case on these kinds of agreements," he added.

The measure, jointly introduced by Republican Senator Bob Corker and Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, would give Congress 60 days to consider or reject a deal with Iran.

Menendez, however, has expressed anger at McConnell for rushing the bill and bypassing the normal review process.

“There is no emergency, this deal – if there is one – won’t be concluded until almost summer,” Menendez said. “If this is the process then I will have no choice but to use my voice and vote against any motion to proceed to the bill.”

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has also urged lawmakers to wait until the outcome of the nuclear talks.

The White House has already warned that President Barack Obama would veto the so-called Iran Nuclear Review Act.

Iran and the P5+1 group -- Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany – are negotiating to narrow their differences over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program ahead of a July 1 deadline.

AHT/AGB

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