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Senate Democrats foil latest GOP attempt to sink Iran deal

Amendment to keep sanctions unless Tehran recognizes Israel and releases US hostages falls 53-45 on final day to shoot down deal

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (2ndL) speaks to the media while flanked by Sen. John Thune (R-SD)(L), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) (2nd) and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) during a news conference after the Republican policy luncheon on Capitol Hill September 16, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (2ndL) speaks to the media while flanked by Sen. John Thune (R-SD)(L), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) (2nd) and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) during a news conference after the Republican policy luncheon on Capitol Hill September 16, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP)

Senate Democrats turned back the latest GOP effort to undermine the Iran nuclear deal Thursday. Democrats blocked a measure aimed at maintaining sanctions unless Iran recognizes Israel and releases American hostages.

The vote was 53-45, short of the 60 votes needed to advance to a final vote. Two previous votes against the Iran deal have resulted in similar outcomes.

Thursday’s vote saw Democrats even more united, as several who oppose the Iran deal nonetheless voted with their party, rejecting GOP majority attempts to use the issue to political advantage.

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia was the only Democrat to break ranks and vote for the measure.

Other Democrats who support the deal voted no on the amendment, saying it offered conditional support for the deal.

“This conditional approval gives up any of the disapproval resolution on the nuclear agreement,” Ben Cardin said, according to The Hill. “That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.”

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid called the vote “a waste of the Senate’s time.”

But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the deal aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program actually strengthens it and that Congress should say “no.”

At the same time, he told lawmakers the Senate would now move on from the Iran issue and prepare for a vote next week on legislation banning most late-term abortions, a measure scheduled just before a historic visit from Pope Francis.

“The deal can, and likely will, be revisited by the next commander in chief,” McConnell said of the Iran agreement. “But its negative consequences promise to live on regardless — and far beyond one president’s last few months in office.”

The accord negotiated by the US, Iran and five world powers will provide Iran hundreds of billions of dollars in relief from international sanctions in exchange for a decade of constraints on the country’s nuclear program. Opponents fear it will empower Iran and threaten Israel, but they were not able to overcome concerted lobbying by the White House and a high vote hurdle in Congress to send a disapproval resolution to Obama’s desk.

Thursday is the deadline for Congress to vote against the deal, meaning the measure will likely go into effect next month.

Still, Thursday’s votes might not be Congress’ final word. House Speaker John Boehner has held out the possibility of taking legal action to block the deal, and lawmakers are also considering legislation to reinstate sanctions or take other steps against Iran.

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