Congress ponders next step for rejecting Iran deal
Republicans won't let a veto threat stop them from voicing their opposition.
Congress has yet to approve the process for reviewing a final deal with Iran, but already Republicans are plotting their next move.
Legislation from Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., now being debated on the Senate floor would give lawmakers three options: approve the deal, reject it or do nothing — a tacit endorsement. Rejecting a deal would bar President Barack Obama from lifting congressional sanctions and would almost certainly draw his veto, but many Republicans say they expect their leadership to push for a vote nonetheless.
"The whole point of the [Corker] bill is to eventually have the Senate express its will on Iran," said Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., the author of separate sanctions legislation.
Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations panel on the Near East, said it's a foregone conclusion that Congress will take some kind of action once Congress passes the Corker bill. The Senate is expected to vote May 7, with the House following suit shortly thereafter.
