The move by 47 Republican senators to send a letter to the leaders of Iran threatening to tear up any deal struck between that country and a group of nations that includes the United States is driving a rift through the heart of the nation's capital.
In response to the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 nations (Britain, China, France, Russia, the U.S., plus Germany),
the GOP senators threatened to erase any deal that is made once President Barack Obama leaves office in two years.
That brought cries of treason from some experts and politicians, while others simply said the decision to send the letter is proof of the dysfunction in Washington.
The Washington Post writes the latest squabble on Capitol Hill "seemed exceptional."
"If you are a country in the Middle East or Asia relying on Washington, this raises questions about America's predictability," Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass told the Post. "I hear this all the time. I just know it makes others around the world more uncomfortable and contributes to a more dangerous and disorderly world."
The Post points out the disagreement between Democrats and Republicans on how the White House is handling the situation with Iran is the latest source of friction. Republicans have also tried stopping
President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration by halting funding to the Department of Homeland Security in recent weeks.
Regarding Iran and the negotiations to end its nuclear program, House Speaker John Boehner skirted the usual protocol by going behind the White House's back to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak in front of Congress. The speech last week gave the GOP even more firepower as it fights to prevent the
U.S. from cutting a "bad deal" with Iran.
The GOP letter to Iran, written by Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, said any deal that is agreed upon can be nullified with
"the stroke of a pen" by either the next president or Congress.
Democrats, from the president to potential 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, blasted the GOP's actions.
"Well, I think it's somewhat ironic to see some members of Congress wanting to make common cause with the hardliners in Iran. It's an unusual coalition," Obama said Monday.
"I think what we're going to focus on right now is actually seeing whether we can get a deal or not, and once we do, then ... if we do — then we'll be able to make the case to the American people."
The GOP's intent behind trying to block a deal struck with Iran is not to block any deal, but rather a bad deal that would allow Iran any freedom to press forward with its nuclear program. The country has repeatedly threatened Israel, a top U.S. ally, and other nations over the years.
The Obama administration has been trying to hash out a deal with Iran for some time. A recent report claimed the president threatened to
shoot down Israeli jets that were reportedly planning to attack Iranian nuclear facilities last year.
The Post quotes other experts and ex-politicians as saying the GOP was out of line by sending the letter, including former Republican Sen. Richard Lugar.
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