Senator Chuck Schumer D-NY
It's so tiring to see some supposed "progressive" Democrats and not just "blue dogs" join with Republicans in some misguided "bi-partisan" effort to introduce legislation calling for new sanctions on Iran.
Although proposals for new sanctions were expected after Iran and the so called P5 +1 group of nations reached a preliminary deal last month where Iran would freeze its current nuclear program for six months in exchange for the easing of some sanctions, but not this approach to undermine diplomacy in the Senate.
Israel and Saudi Arabia, not unexpectedly, were against any deal with Iran along with the deep pocketed Israeli lobby in the U.S. led by AIPAC. And now we have their handmaidens in the Senate pushing for new sanctions on Iran.
Make no mistake, these sanction proposals aren't appeals by some conscience driven senators. They're merely following the dictates of those who underwrite their electoral campaigns which highlights the sycophants they truly are.
So before going any further here are the 14 ignoble Senate Dems who joined with the 13 Repubs calling for new sanctions on Iran. In order they are Senators Mark Begich (AK), Cory Booker (NJ), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Ben Cardin (MD), Bob Casey (PA), Chris Coons (DE), Joe Donnelly (IN), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Kay Hagen (NC), Mary Landrieux (LA), Robert Menendez (NJ), Mark Pryor (AR), Chuck Schumer (NY) and Mark Warner (VA). As for the Repubs, there are the "usual suspects" including Lindsey Graham (SC) and John McCain (AZ) along with a group of 11 nondescript others.
Thus far Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.NV) hasn't indicated he'd bring the new Iran sanctions legislation up for a vote in the full Senate. Reportedly, 10 other Democratic Senators wrote in a letter to Reid warning new sanctions would "play into the hands of those in Iran who are most eager to see the negotiations fail" and "undermine the prospects" for a final deal with Iran.
In any event White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the president would veto the senate bill. As for the House they haven't introduced any new sanctions proposals but that could very well happen when they return after the holiday recess.
All these latest "rumblings" may be just another minefield to be avoided in the ongoing negotiations with Iran but they certainly don't bode well for reaching a final agreement.
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