Iran Deal Clears Senate Panel; Obama on Board

President says he would sign the measure
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 14, 2015 3:16 PM CDT
Iran Deal Clears Senate Panel; Obama on Board
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., who with Republican Bob Corker crafted the compromise legislation.   (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

It looks like Congress will have its say on the Iran nuclear deal after all. A compromise version of legislation allowing it to do so cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with support from both parties this afternoon. In fact, it passed 19-0, and it's expected to easily pass in the full Senate. President Obama previously had threatened a veto, but the White House said just prior to the bill's passage in committee that he would sign the measure because of changes that were made, reports the Hill. He's not "particularly thrilled" about it, says spokesman Josh Earnest. But "the president would be willing to sign the proposed compromise that is working its way through the committee today."

Among other things, the compromise crafted by the panel's top Republican, Bob Corker, and top Democrat Ben Cardin shortens the congressional review period from 60 to 30 days and waters down language that links the lifting of sanctions to Iran ending its support of terrorism, reports the New York Times. (Iran is one of four nations on the "state sponsor" list, though Cuba is about to come off.) The deal between Iran and the West is expected to be complete by the end of June. (More President Obama stories.)

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