Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon said he supports the Iran deal on Sunday making him the 31st senator to back the deal and putting supporters within just three voters of upholding a possible veto.
Merkley called the deal, “the best available strategy to block Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”
“The future, whether we approve or reject the deal, is unknowable and carries risk. But the agreement offers us better prospects for preventing Iran from acquiring weapons and more tools and leverage to ensure that outcome,” he said.
The new supporter of the deal means that Senate Democrats need just three more votes to ensure they can uphold President Obama’s veto of any legislation to block the deal.
Senate Democrats need 34 senators to uphold a veto, and 41 to reject the resolution of disapproval.
As with many of the 31 Democrats who have announced they support the deal, Merkley said the deal has “significant shortcomings.”
Merkley called the deal, “the best available strategy to block Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”
“The future, whether we approve or reject the deal, is unknowable and carries risk. But the agreement offers us better prospects for preventing Iran from acquiring weapons and more tools and leverage to ensure that outcome,” he said.
The new supporter of the deal means that Senate Democrats need just three more votes to ensure they can uphold President Obama’s veto of any legislation to block the deal.
Senate Democrats need 34 senators to uphold a veto, and 41 to reject the resolution of disapproval.
As with many of the 31 Democrats who have announced they support the deal, Merkley said the deal has “significant shortcomings.”