Senate panel OKs bill giving Congress say on Iran nuke deal

Foreign Relations Committee votes unanimously in favor after Republicans, Democrats reach compromise; Obama likely to approve

By Laurie Kellman and Deb Riechmann 14 April 2015, 11:36 pm

Edit

Senator Bob Corker (left), speaks while flanked by ranking member Sen. Bob Menendez during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC, March 11, 2015 (photo credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate panel has unanimously approved a bill that would give Congress a say about the emerging deal aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief.

The Foreign Relations Committee vote was 19-0.

Democrats and Republicans reached a compromise on the measure. As news of the deal trickled out, the White House said President Barack Obama would likely sign it in its new form. He had threatened to veto it in its original form.

The bill, which now goes to the Senate floor, sets up a 30-day congressional review period and requires the administration to regularly update Congress on Iran’s compliance. During that period, Obama could not waive any sanctions that Congress has levied on Iran.