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Congress flexes muscles ahead of Iran deal

Lawmakers are making their demands clear as the July 20 deadline for a nuclear agreement approaches
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) delivers remarks at the Faith & Freedom Coalition "Road to Majority" policy conference in Washington, June 19, 2014. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3UOX7

Congress is putting the Obama administration on notice that it has strict expectations for a nuclear agreement with Iran as the July 20 deadline fast approaches.

Some 344 House members — almost 80% of the lower chamber — signed a letter to President Obama on Thursday, telling him he would be "wise" to listen to what lawmakers have to say if he wants them to lift sanctions on Iran as part of a nuclear deal. Meanwhile, in the Senate, two hard-liners filed legislation to slap sanctions on President Hassan Rouhani and the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in what's likely to be one of several Iran bills introduced in the next few weeks.

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