Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid says he won’t urge Democrats to block a final vote on the Iran nuclear deal if Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agrees to a higher threshold for passage.
"I recently informed Senator McConnell that after a period of robust debate, Democrats would be happy to proceed straight to a final passage vote that is consistent with Senator McConnell’s many statements that important matters in the Senate have ‘for quite some time required sixty votes,’ " Reid said in a statement
reported by The Hill. "The choice is up to him."
It was unclear Saturday night if McConnell would entertain the offer.
The Senate is expected to take up a resolution of disapproval on the Iran nuclear deal that is aimed at killing the agreement. President Obama has the votes needed to uphold a potential presidential veto. But in the Senate he’s still three supporters short of 41 senators, which would successfully help him block any resolution from passing in the first place.
Reid says the Republicans, as well as supporters of the deal, "have always known" 60 votes would be needed to move a resolution on the Iran nuclear deal through the Senate.
“Democrats continue to live up to our pledges to behave in a constructive and cooperative fashion," he added. "On the Iran Review Act, I hope Senator McConnell and Senate Republicans can take yes for an answer and allow the Senate to proceed directly to a final passage vote after a period of robust debate.”