McConnell: Obama's 'Partisan Contest' Raises Even More Doubts on Iran Deal

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Wednesday blasted the Obama administration for reducing the debate on the Iran nuclear deal to "a partisan contest" that "raises even more serious questions about its durability and merits."

"While the president may be able to sustain a veto with the tepid, restricted and partisan support of one third of one House of Congress over Americans' bipartisan opposition, it will require a bipartisan Congress to strengthen our defenses in the Persian Gulf and to stand up to the inevitable Iranian violations of the agreement that will need to be addressed after he has left office," the Kentucky Republican said.

"And because this is not a treaty, it can and should be revisited by our new president."

McConnell's comments came after Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland announced that she would support the Tehran deal.

Her decision gives President Barack Obama the 34 Senate votes needed to sustain a veto of any congressional resolution disapproving the deal.

Thirty-two Senate Democrats and two independents who vote with the Democrats now support the agreement.

The deal, announced on July 14, exchanges sanctions relief for Iran for Tehran's agreeing to curtail its nuclear program. It could pump as much as $150 billion into Iran that has been held up through sanctions.

Congress has until Sept. 17 to approve or reject the deal.

McConnell said the Senate would begin its debate next week after it returns from its summer recess. He called it "serious and consequential.

"By any measure, Iran will emerge stronger from this deal and better positioned to expand its sphere of influence," he said.

"While the president will be out of office in 18 months, the rest of the country and the world will have to deal with the many predictable consequences of his deal with Iran."

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