Congress, Obama reach compromise on Iran nuclear bill

WASHINGTON, April 14 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama would sign a bill allowing Congress to vote on a nuclear deal with Iran if it comes out of committee in its present form, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Tuesday.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is currently formulating the legislation, which, as it stands, has bipartisan support. One Democratic aide told The New York Times it has enough support in the full Senate that it would be veto-proof.

"What we have made clear to Democrats and Republicans in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is that the president would be willing to sign the proposed compromise that is working its way through the committee today," Earnest said.

As part of a compromise between Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, a Republican and the committee's chairman, and Maryland Sen. Benjamin Cardin, the ranking Democrat, the bill would shorten the review period for the final deal with Iran and soften language that previously made the lifting of sanctions dependent on certification of Iran's terrorist activities.

"This is a really sound piece of legislation," Corker said. "I'm very proud of it and it's my hope that it passes overwhelmingly."

Obama isn't "particularly thrilled" with the legislation, Earnest said. Obama has previously expressed objections to Congress involving itself in the nuclear negotiations.

"Congress absolutely should have the opportunity to review this deal," House Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio said Tuesday. "We shouldn't just count on the administration, who appears to want a deal at any cost."