The Senate may not vote down Obama's Iran nuclear deal, after all

Senate Republicans may not have enough votes to shoot down Obama's Iran nuclear deal
(Image credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The U.S. Senate has about two months to review the Iran nuclear deal finalized Tuesday, and the assumption has long been that the Republican-led body would vote against the accord, and that President Obama's veto of that disapproval would probably not be overridden. It turns out, Obama may not even have to break out his veto pen, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Here's why: Assuming Democrats filibuster the resolution of disapproval — a safe bet — Republicans need 60 votes to pass it. There are 54 Republicans in the Senate, so if every GOP senator votes for the bill, they still need six Democrats on board. So far, not even the most hawkish, Israel-supporting Democrat has suggested he'll vote against the deal, and at least two Republicans have suggested they might even support it. "The battle is just getting started," notes the Times, but so far the White House "seems to be winning Round One against Republican congressional opponents." For more details, visit the Los Angeles Times.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.