Lawmakers want a say on the nuclear deal. But if they meddle too soon, it could imperil the talks.
THE OBAMA administration is putting a brave face on its acceptance of legislation in Congress that injects the legislative branch into ongoing negotiations over the future of Irans nuclear program. But while the bill approved unanimously Tuesday by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee could have been worse, it is still ill-timed and could make an agreement less likely, which is the not-so-ulterior motive of at least some of the bills supporters.
Until recently the president had been expected to veto any legislation requiring congressional approval of an agreement reached by Iran and the so-called P5+1 the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany. June 30 is the deadline for a final agreement that would fill in the blanks of the framework agreed to in Switzerland on April 2.
But as legislation to require a congressional role gained bipartisan support, the administration shifted gears and began negotiating with Congress. The resulting Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 would require Obama to submit a final deal to Congress, which could approve it or pass a resolution of disapproval that would permanently prevent the president from waiving sanctions authorized by Congress.
The bill is an improvement over previous versions. It shortens the period Congress would have to scrutinize an agreement. And it softens language that conditioned sanctions relief on Iran ending support for terrorism a very serious issue, but one that has not figured in the negotiations and should be addressed separately.
And while the bill would allow an up-or-down v**e, it seems likely that the administration would have enough v**es to sustain a veto of a resolution of disapproval. That scenario seems to have influenced the administration it its reluctant decision to accept the legislation.
What is often overlooked is that, even in the absence of this legislation, Congress eventually would have to v**e to permanently lift the sanctions it has authorized. It also would have the option of trying to pass legislation to stop Obama from waiving existing sanctions if a final agreement with Iran werent to its liking. So whats the rush to pass something now? Doing so could interfere with what are still delicate negotiations.
On Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, patiently, that we are not negotiating with the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives. But others in the Iranian leadership opposed to a deal might see the push for legislation as proof that Congress is determined to sabotage any agreement. We continue to believe Congress should refrain from legislating until the negotiators complete their work.
KHH1 wrote:
Lawmakers want a say on the nuclear deal. But if they meddle too soon, it could imperil the talks.
THE OBAMA administration is putting a brave face on its acceptance of legislation in Congress that injects the legislative branch into ongoing negotiations over the future of Irans nuclear program. But while the bill approved unanimously Tuesday by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee could have been worse, it is still ill-timed and could make an agreement less likely, which is the not-so-ulterior motive of at least some of the bills supporters.
Until recently the president had been expected to veto any legislation requiring congressional approval of an agreement reached by Iran and the so-called P5+1 the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany. June 30 is the deadline for a final agreement that would fill in the blanks of the framework agreed to in Switzerland on April 2.
But as legislation to require a congressional role gained bipartisan support, the administration shifted gears and began negotiating with Congress. The resulting Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 would require Obama to submit a final deal to Congress, which could approve it or pass a resolution of disapproval that would permanently prevent the president from waiving sanctions authorized by Congress.
The bill is an improvement over previous versions. It shortens the period Congress would have to scrutinize an agreement. And it softens language that conditioned sanctions relief on Iran ending support for terrorism a very serious issue, but one that has not figured in the negotiations and should be addressed separately.
And while the bill would allow an up-or-down v**e, it seems likely that the administration would have enough v**es to sustain a veto of a resolution of disapproval. That scenario seems to have influenced the administration it its reluctant decision to accept the legislation.
What is often overlooked is that, even in the absence of this legislation, Congress eventually would have to v**e to permanently lift the sanctions it has authorized. It also would have the option of trying to pass legislation to stop Obama from waiving existing sanctions if a final agreement with Iran werent to its liking. So whats the rush to pass something now? Doing so could interfere with what are still delicate negotiations.
On Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, patiently, that we are not negotiating with the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives. But others in the Iranian leadership opposed to a deal might see the push for legislation as proof that Congress is determined to sabotage any agreement. We continue to believe Congress should refrain from legislating until the negotiators complete their work.
Lawmakers want a say on the nuclear deal. But if t... (
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Negitiators?
Work?
It's all nonsense designed to buy time while Iran arms it's missiles.
Do you really think they want peace?
Do you really?
solarkin wrote:
Negitiators?
Work?
It's all nonsense designed to buy time while Iran arms it's missiles.
Do you really think they want peace?
Do you really?
Based on America's history...I can see why righties are scared to trust anyone else....afraid of karma finally rearing its ugly head....it will eventually regardless..........
solarkin wrote:
Negitiators?
Work?
It's all nonsense designed to buy time while Iran arms it's missiles.
Do you really think they want peace?
Do you really?
Iran is pinned down. Not much they can do. Their defiance is costing them and they know it.
KHH1 wrote:
Based on America's history...I can see why righties are scared to trust anyone else....afraid of karma finally rearing its ugly head....it will eventually regardless..........
Our Gov will sell us out like they do most of the time,I don't trust them to do anything right!
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