Republicans Are On The Ropes As Harry Reid Supports Obama’s Iran Deal

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has put Republicans on the ropes by strongly announcing his support for President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran.

In a statement, Senate Minority Leader Reid said:

One of the most important national security challenges of our generation is stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, a goal that is critical to the national security of the United States, the State of Israel and the world. After years of study and months of careful review of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and its predecessor agreement, I support this agreement because I believe it is the best path to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

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This nuclear agreement is consistent with the greatest traditions of American leadership. I will do everything in my power to support this agreement and ensure that America holds up our end of the commitment we have made to our allies and the world to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. I will vote no on the resolution of disapproval and urge my colleagues to do the same.

….

It is fantasy to say that if Congress rejects the agreement, the Administration can simply go back and get a better agreement. That is not a real option and we should not pretend that it is. First, this is a good agreement on the merits, imposing the toughest inspections and verification regime in history, and a diplomatic solution is certainly less costly in American blood and treasure than any possible military option. Second, if the Senate rejects this agreement, the international community will not support an attempt to secure another and they will not support the sanctions regime. Those are hard facts. Whether we like it or not, the current sanctions regime depends on other countries.

….

I strongly support this historic agreement and will do everything in my power to ensure that it stands.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been struggling to find 60 votes to pass the disapproval resolution of the Iran deal. Sen. Reid was not expected to announce his support until after Congress returned from their August recess.

Momentum is growing every day on the Democratic side for blocking the resolution in the Senate by denying Republicans the votes that they need for passage. Since Chuck Schumer (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced their opposition to the agreement, no Democrats have joined them.

Harry Reid’s support for the deal brings President Obama closer to another milestone in a presidency full of historic achievements.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association