The US Senate may vote to extend Iran sanctions legislation for another decade, potentially complicating the next president's ability to stick to any final nuclear deal. Current law that allows the president to temporarily suspend, but not remove, sanctions legislation expires in 2016. Iran hawk Mark Kirk, R-Ill., has offered an amendment to the annual defense bill that would extend the legislation until 2026.
Kirk has also proposed requiring a report on how Iran has used any funds made available through sanctions relief, out of concern that some of the money may end up in the hands of Hezbollah or the Iranian military. And Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., has proposed a sense of the Senate that nuclear negotiations with Iran should not continue without the establishment of a robust inspections and verification system that includes access to military facilities and scientists.
