The Hill – April 17, 2015- “Time and again, the administration suggested that a vote in Congress would scuttle any nuclear agreement and leave war with Iran as the only alternative,” the Tennessee Republican wrote in a Washington Post op-ed. “This week, Democrats and Republicans pushed back, forcing the administration to bow to the inevitable role of Congress in this process.”
Corker is the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, which this week unanimously passed legislation that would give Congress 30 days to review an agreement to curb Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons. President Obama said Friday that he would sign the legislation as long as it was not changed significantly.
Corker said the proposal helps accomplish three things: ensuring the final deal is transparent, allowing for Congressional review and holding Iran accountable.
The Tennessee Republican reached an agreement with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the committee’s ranking member, hours ahead of the committee vote in an effort to combat growing Democratic skepticism of the legislation.
He said that lawmakers “worked hard” to make the bill bipartisan, including keeping it “focused on the appropriate role for Congress — passing judgment on suspending the sanctions that Congress created.”
Corker is facing some skepticism from fellow Republicans over both the legislation and the talks with Iran.
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said this week that he looks forward to having Corker and other members of the Foreign Relations Committee explain how Congress’s role under the legislation matches the Constitution.
“The Foreign Relations Committee has made a proposal about what that role should be,” he said. “But it seems to me that proposal is still a long way from the constitutional protection that should be involved when we reach an agreement of this kind.”
Republicans on the committee also voiced wariness before ultimately voting for Corker’s proposal.
