House GOP leader visits Israel as Iran nuclear agreement vote looms

JERUSALEM, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- House Republican Majority leader Kevin McCarthy is hoping to build momentum to disrupt President Barack Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran while on a visit to Israel.

McCarthy, from California, is leading a team of 36 Republican members to Jerusalem, where representatives met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. Congress has until Sept. 17 to vote to accept or reject the agreement with Iran.

"We must not be alarmed by disagreements when they arise," Rivlin said to the U.S. representatives on the animosity between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who staunchly opposes a deal with Iran. "Whatever Congress decides, it will be your decision as representatives of the American people. We, as your allies and partners, must make sure that whatever the result of this vote, our strategic alliance stands and grows even stronger."

McCarthy hailed the relationship between the United States and Israel.

"The uniqueness of the bond between us is because of our shared values of freedom, democracy, liberty, human rights, and protecting the voice of those with whom we may disagree. The relationship between our countries is strong and firm, and nobody should doubt that," McCarthy said.

Obama has threatened to override Congress if it votes against the deal, which was reached last month. If all Republicans in Congress vote together against the deal, they will still need 44 Democrats in the House of Representatives and 13 in the Senate to reject Obama's veto. Democrats who already announced they oppose the agreement include New York Rep. Eliot Engel and New York Sen. Charles Schumer.

McCarthy said there's a possibility that Republicans can sway enough Democrats to override the presidential veto.

"I'm basing that on what I hear from the other side of the aisle, from individual members who talk to me," McCarthy told Bloomberg.