Senate Democrats Block Vote to Reject Iran Nuclear Deal, Handing Obama Victory

Senate Democrats on Sept. 10 blocked consideration of a Republican resolution to reject the Iran nuclear deal, effectively allowing the agreement to take effect without President Obama having to issue a veto.

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 24: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) (L) embraces U.S. President Barack Obama as Reid introduces him for a keynote address at the National Clean Energy Summit 8.0 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on August 24, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Political and economic leaders are attending the summit to discuss a domestic policy agenda to advance alternative energy for the country's future. Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked consideration of a Republican resolution to reject the Iran nuclear deal, effectively allowing the agreement to take effect without President Obama having to issue a veto.

A procedural vote on what’s known as a resolution of disapproval failed 58-42. Such a vote requires 60 votes to advance.

The only Democratic defectors on the vote were the same four who already had announced their opposition: Sens. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Chuck Schumer of New York, and Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

“I think that an agreement this important deserves a final [up-or-down] vote,” Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) told The Daily Signal after the procedural measure failed.

Refusing to concede defeat, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said his chamber will revote on the procedural measure.

And the House has yet to finish its own series of votes on the nuclear deal.

READ MORE

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• House Won’t Vote on Iran Pact Until Obama Reveals ‘Secret Side Deals’