Democrats slam brakes on Iran action

Julian Pecquet

Mar 4, 2015

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) arrives for a vote on whether to overturn a presidential veto of the Keystone XL pipeline, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 4, 2015. The U.S. Senate failed on Wednesday to overturn Obama's veto of legislation approving the Keystone XL oil pipeline, leaving the contentious project to await an administration decision on whether to allow it. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY ENVIRONMENT) - RTR4S47R — Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., arrives for a vote at the Capitol in Washington, March 4, 2015. — REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON — Congressional action on Iran ground to a halt March 4 after Democrats revolted against Republican plans to take up legislation as early as next week.

After a false start following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address, the move left the Senate no closer to passing legislation. Meanwhile, House members made it equally clear that they see no path to passing new restrictions before the March 24 deadline for a framework agreement.