White House wins support for passage of Iran deal through Congress
Senator Barbara Mikulski, Democrat from Maryland, announced her support for the deal on Wednesday morning.
By MICHAEL WILNERUpdated: SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 17:37President Obama and Vice President Biden Deliver a Statement on Iran(photo credit: WHITE HOUSE)
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration has secured the support of 34 senators for its landmark nuclear agreement with Iran, ensuring its safe passage through a vote scheduled in Congress this month.Senator Barbara Mikulski, Democrat from Maryland, announced her support for the deal on Wednesday morning. She followed announcements from two Democratic colleagues, senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Bob Casey, Jr. from Pennsylvania, the previous day.Iran deal in a nutshellUS President Barack Obama only needs one third of one house of Congress to ensure passage of the accord, because that number is the minimum necessary to uphold a presidential veto. Congress may still vote and pass a resolution disapproving of the deal when it reconvenes next week.That will be the fight ahead: Over whether a vote of disapproval will take place at all. For such a vote to occur, 60 members of the Senate will have to agree to proceed with debate and break filibuster. Currently, opponents are four votes short of that threshold, with 56 publicly against.