Senate Democrats waver on support for Iran bill

WASHINGTON, April 8 (UPI) -- As debate intensifies in Congress over legislation that would give the Senate a way to scuttle the nuclear deal with Iran, some much-needed bipartisan support for the bill seems to be wavering.

Democratic Sens. Chris Coons and Mark Warner, both once considered shoo-in supporters of the so-called Corker-Menendez bill, are now taking a closer look at the legislation.

The bill, co-sponsored by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., would give Congress 60 days to review the Iran nuclear deal and block the White House from immediately easing economic sanctions against Tehran. The committee is set to take on the bill next week.

With Coons and Warner as allies, legislation supporters were just one vote short of the 67 needed to override a promised presidential veto.

The White House is urging Democrats to withdraw support, warning Republicans pushing the bill will use it as a political weapon in the future. It's something that is giving Coons pause, said Sean Coit, Coons's spokesman.

"He's reviewing and making a decision on how he'll vote next week. He is focused on creating a responsible structure for congressional oversight. He is concerned about the bill becoming a partisan vehicle," he said.

Warner's spokesman told The Hill it's "TBD" if he will support the bill or the veto override.

"Let's first see what happens during [the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's] markup next week," the aide said.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said there are "a number of concerns" with Corker-Menendez, including a provision that makes the agreement contingent on Iran renouncing terrorism.

"Now, that's an unrealistic suggestion, because we've been very clear that this agreement is focused on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and that it is not going to succeed in resolving the long list of concerns that we have with Iran's behavior," he said.

At the same time, however, Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, one of the most influential voices on Capitol Hill, strongly endorsed passing the law that would allow Congress to second-guess the Iran deal. His aides were quick to point out his support of the bill doesn't mean he's rejecting the interim nuclear deal.

"I strongly believe Congress should have the right to disapprove any agreement and I support the Corker bill which would allow that to occur," he said.