Congress gives Obama two more months to strike Iran deal

Hawkish Democrats announce they won’t vote for sanctions before March 24 deal deadline.
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) (C) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) (R) board an elevator as they take a break from a long series of votes, many on procedural matters or to confirm members of the Obama administration, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington December 13, 2014. The Senate passed a five-day extension of federal funding on Saturday, staving off a government shutdown and buying lawmakers more time to resolve a fight over a longer, $1.1 trillion spending bill led by Tea Party firebrand Ted Cruz.
US Sens. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., (C) and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, (R) board an elevator as they take a break from a long series of votes, many on procedural matters or to confirm members of the Obama administration, at the US Capitol in Washington, Dec. 13, 2014. - REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
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Julian Pecquet
@JPecquet_ALM

Ten hawkish Democratic senators vowed Jan. 27 to vote against Iran sanctions legislation if it comes up before the end of March, robbing Republicans of the votes they need to override a veto.

The announcement is a clear win for President Barack Obama, who has repeatedly warned lawmakers that targeting Iran now could blow up delicate diplomatic talks. The latest development all but assures that the Senate leadership will delay a vote rather than turn Iran into a partisan issue, with even top Republicans making that case.

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