WASHINGTON (AP) - Backed by Israel, congressional Republicans forcefully challenged President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran on Wednesday as the White House dispatched a Cabinet-level lobbying team to build support for the agreement to ease sanctions in exchange for concessions on the Islamic nation's nuclear program.
"No serious person truly believes" the United States faces a choice between implementing the agreement and going to war with Iran, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., rebutting statements from Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry.
Several other Republicans found fault with the deal in remarks on the Senate floor, including Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who said there was a third option available. He noted the deal did not require the dismantling of Tehran's nuclear infrastructure, and said, "There are tougher sanctions that will bring Iran to the table for a better deal and a good deal."
Across the Capitol, Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer met privately with several House Republicans. One participant in the meeting, Rep. Dave Brat of Virginia, said the diplomat's main point had been to "pay less attention to all the details" like nuclear centrifuges, and more attention to "who's on the other side of the ethical debate, and that is Iran." Tehran is opposed to the existence of Israel.
The remarks preceded closed-door meetings in the House and the Senate with Kerry and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, both of whom were at the bargaining table with Iranians, as well as Treasury Secretary Jack Lew. The day's sessions marked the beginning of the administration's formal attempt to preserve the deal in what is likely to become a battle for enough votes to sustain a veto of Republican-crafted legislation that would torpedo it.
The agreement can take effect without congressional approval, but Republicans are expected to try and sink it with legislation that would block Obama from lifting sanctions Congress has previously put in place. The president has vowed to veto any such bill, and it would take a two-thirds majority in each house of the Republican-controlled Congress to override him.
As a result, the prospect is for a two-month campaign by the administration to find at least 34 senators or 146 House members to prevent a veto override. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, an announced supporter of the deal, has expressed optimism the White House can prevail, and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, a member of the Senate Democratic leadership, declared his support for the agreement this week.