McConnell: Prepare for ’vigorous’ Iran debate

The Hill – April 23, 2015- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Thursday that he expects there will be a “vigorous” debate next week on legislation that would require congressional review of a nuclear deal with Iran.

“This bill will be open for amendment, and those who seek to improve it will have an opportunity to do this,” he said. “We look forward to a vigorous debate on it next week.”

Senators are expected to begin work on legislation next week spearheaded by Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) that would allow lawmakers to pass a resolution of disapproval on any final deal to curb Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons.

Should a resolution of disapproval pass and overcome a likely White House veto, President Obama would be barred from waiving some sanctions on Iran.

Conservative Republicans have voiced skepticism about the Corker-Cardin agreement, fearing that it doesn’t give Congress enough of a role in the process.

“Look, no piece of legislation is perfect,” McConnell said. “Senators who would like to see this bill strengthened, as I would, will have that chance during a robust amendment process that we’ll soon have.”

Cardin said earlier this week that he had heard Republicans had a lot of interest in amending the legislation, which he expected would see action on the Senate floor next week.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) added Thursday that lawmakers are “going to move to this bill as soon as we can. I hope that we can do it sooner rather than later.”

“There should be amendments offered,” he said. “We need a robust debate. We have to make sure that attention is focused on this issue and nothing else.”

The Foreign Relations Committee passed the Iran measure unanimously last week after Cardin and Corker announced a deal hours before the committee’s markup session.

Graham, while saying his Republican colleagues were welcome to submit amendments to the legislation, warned against trying to add measures that could potentially kill the bill.

“Anybody that monkeys with this bill will run into a buzz saw,” he said. “If you’re trying to score political points, don’t score it here.”.