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| US Senate attempt to block Iran deal fails - live coverage | US Senate attempt to block Iran deal fails - live coverage |
| (4 months later) | |
| 10.36pm BST | |
| 22:36 | |
| US Senate fails to block Iran deal | US Senate fails to block Iran deal |
| Updated | |
| at 10.37pm BST | |
| 10.23pm BST | |
| 22:23 | |
| The House passed their resolution along entirely partisan lines, 245-186. All 245 votes for were Republican and all 186 votes against were Democrats. The resolution said that Obama had not complied with Corker-Cardin by not disclosing side deals. | The House passed their resolution along entirely partisan lines, 245-186. All 245 votes for were Republican and all 186 votes against were Democrats. The resolution said that Obama had not complied with Corker-Cardin by not disclosing side deals. |
| 10.10pm BST | |
| 22:10 | |
| As the House votes, one undecided Democrat has finally announced his position on the Iran deal. | As the House votes, one undecided Democrat has finally announced his position on the Iran deal. |
| Joe Crowley, a longtime congressman from Queens, finally announced this afternoon that he supports the agreement. He waited until after the Senate vote to do so. | Joe Crowley, a longtime congressman from Queens, finally announced this afternoon that he supports the agreement. He waited until after the Senate vote to do so. |
| What timing! Rep Joe Crowley, D-NY, comes out in favor of #IranDeal after Dems stop Senate vote on disapproval. | What timing! Rep Joe Crowley, D-NY, comes out in favor of #IranDeal after Dems stop Senate vote on disapproval. |
| 10.05pm BST | |
| 22:05 | |
| President Obama has issued a statement on the Senate’s vote today. | President Obama has issued a statement on the Senate’s vote today. |
| Obama says in the statement: | Obama says in the statement: |
| Today, the Senate took an historic step forward and voted to enable the United States to work with our international partners to enable the implementation of the comprehensive, long-term deal that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This vote is a victory for diplomacy, for American national security, and for the safety and security of the world. For nearly two years, we negotiated from a position of strength to reach an agreement that meets our core objectives. Since we concluded these negotiations, we have had the most consequential national security debate since the decision to invade Iraq more than a decade ago. Over the last several weeks, the more members studied the details of this deal, the more they came out in support. Today, I am heartened that so many Senators judged this deal on the merits, and am gratified by the strong support of lawmakers and citizens alike. Going forward, we will turn to the critical work of implementing and verifying this deal so that Iran cannot pursue a nuclear weapon, while pursuing a foreign policy that leaves our country - and the world - a safer place. | Today, the Senate took an historic step forward and voted to enable the United States to work with our international partners to enable the implementation of the comprehensive, long-term deal that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This vote is a victory for diplomacy, for American national security, and for the safety and security of the world. For nearly two years, we negotiated from a position of strength to reach an agreement that meets our core objectives. Since we concluded these negotiations, we have had the most consequential national security debate since the decision to invade Iraq more than a decade ago. Over the last several weeks, the more members studied the details of this deal, the more they came out in support. Today, I am heartened that so many Senators judged this deal on the merits, and am gratified by the strong support of lawmakers and citizens alike. Going forward, we will turn to the critical work of implementing and verifying this deal so that Iran cannot pursue a nuclear weapon, while pursuing a foreign policy that leaves our country - and the world - a safer place. |
| 10.04pm BST | |
| 22:04 | |
| The House of Representatives is now voting on the first anti-Iran deal legislation that it will consider in the coming days. | The House of Representatives is now voting on the first anti-Iran deal legislation that it will consider in the coming days. |
| House Resolution 411 states that President Obama has not complied with the Corker Cardin bill, which allowed for Congress to vote on the Iran agreement. It is a purely symbolic measure merely designed to build up a record for future litigation to block elements of the Iran deal. | House Resolution 411 states that President Obama has not complied with the Corker Cardin bill, which allowed for Congress to vote on the Iran agreement. It is a purely symbolic measure merely designed to build up a record for future litigation to block elements of the Iran deal. |
| 9.53pm BST | |
| 21:53 | |
| AIPAC, the bipartisan pro-Israel group which opposed the agreement, has come out with a statement targeting the legitimacy of the Iran deal despite today’s vote. | AIPAC, the bipartisan pro-Israel group which opposed the agreement, has come out with a statement targeting the legitimacy of the Iran deal despite today’s vote. |
| It reads in part: | It reads in part: |
| In sum, this deeply flawed, unpopular agreement with a distrusted, terrorist-sponsoring regime will lack the imprimatur of either the American people or the Senate. By its vote today, the Senate has sent a strong message to the world that the American people are deeply skeptical about Iran’s willingness to meet its commitments and the long term viability of this agreement. This vote should provide a note of caution -- especially to foreign companies and governments -- about jumping back into Iran. | In sum, this deeply flawed, unpopular agreement with a distrusted, terrorist-sponsoring regime will lack the imprimatur of either the American people or the Senate. By its vote today, the Senate has sent a strong message to the world that the American people are deeply skeptical about Iran’s willingness to meet its commitments and the long term viability of this agreement. This vote should provide a note of caution -- especially to foreign companies and governments -- about jumping back into Iran. |
| 9.45pm BST | |
| 21:45 | |
| Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine is now on the floor and saying that he respects the opinions of colleagues who voted on either side of the issue. | Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine is now on the floor and saying that he respects the opinions of colleagues who voted on either side of the issue. |
| He is now emphasizing that the vote on the Iran bill was always supposed to have a 60-vote threshold to move forward and that the need for a supermajority was not unexpected. | He is now emphasizing that the vote on the Iran bill was always supposed to have a 60-vote threshold to move forward and that the need for a supermajority was not unexpected. |
| 9.25pm BST | |
| 21:25 | |
| McConnell is also announced that the Senate will revisit the Iran deal next week and that there will be at least one more vote to end debate on the legislation. | McConnell is also announced that the Senate will revisit the Iran deal next week and that there will be at least one more vote to end debate on the legislation. |
| 9.24pm BST | |
| 21:24 | |
| Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is already celebrating the failure of the motion to end debate. | Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is already celebrating the failure of the motion to end debate. |
| In a statement, Reid said “the Senate has spoken with a clarion voice and declared that the historic agreement to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon will stand.” | In a statement, Reid said “the Senate has spoken with a clarion voice and declared that the historic agreement to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon will stand.” |
| It is worth noting that the “clarion voice” which Reid celebrates is only 42 senators. | It is worth noting that the “clarion voice” which Reid celebrates is only 42 senators. |
| 9.22pm BST | |
| 21:22 | |
| Mitch McConnell is now on the floor saying that he won’t give floor time for anti-Iran deal legislation that comes from the House, unless it has “enough co-sponsors to override a presidential veto.” | Mitch McConnell is now on the floor saying that he won’t give floor time for anti-Iran deal legislation that comes from the House, unless it has “enough co-sponsors to override a presidential veto.” |
| He’s making clear that he’s not interested in symbolic legislation and feels confident that the American people will weigh in on the issue in the 2016 presidential election. | He’s making clear that he’s not interested in symbolic legislation and feels confident that the American people will weigh in on the issue in the 2016 presidential election. |
| 9.18pm BST | |
| 21:18 | |
| Already, one presidential candidate has weighed in on the vote. Bernie Sanders, who leads in the polls for the Democratic nomination in both Iowa and New Hampshire, issued a guarded statement in support of giving the deal “a chance to succeed.” | Already, one presidential candidate has weighed in on the vote. Bernie Sanders, who leads in the polls for the Democratic nomination in both Iowa and New Hampshire, issued a guarded statement in support of giving the deal “a chance to succeed.” |
| Sanders said in a statement: | Sanders said in a statement: |
| “I voted to support the Iran nuclear deal today because it is my firm belief that the test of a great nation is not how many wars we can engage in, but how we can use our strength and our capabilities to resolve international conflicts in a peaceful way. Does the agreement achieve everything I would like? No, it does not. But it is far better than the path advocated by Dick Cheney and the neo-cons who took us into Iraq in 2003. If Iran moves toward a nuclear weapon, all available options remain on the table. I think it is incumbent upon us, however, to give the negotiated agreement a chance to succeed.” | “I voted to support the Iran nuclear deal today because it is my firm belief that the test of a great nation is not how many wars we can engage in, but how we can use our strength and our capabilities to resolve international conflicts in a peaceful way. Does the agreement achieve everything I would like? No, it does not. But it is far better than the path advocated by Dick Cheney and the neo-cons who took us into Iraq in 2003. If Iran moves toward a nuclear weapon, all available options remain on the table. I think it is incumbent upon us, however, to give the negotiated agreement a chance to succeed.” |
| 9.12pm BST | |
| 21:12 | |
| Republicans fail to block Iran deal | Republicans fail to block Iran deal |
| As expected, Republicans failed to muster the 60 votes necessary to end debate on a motion to disapprove of the Iran deal on Thursday. | As expected, Republicans failed to muster the 60 votes necessary to end debate on a motion to disapprove of the Iran deal on Thursday. |
| The goal of blocking the nuclear agreement was far-fetched but the GOP was hoping to at least pass a resolution of disapproval which would then be vetoed by Barack Obama and register a symbolic victory. Instead, opponents of the deal fell two votes short by a margin of 58-42. | The goal of blocking the nuclear agreement was far-fetched but the GOP was hoping to at least pass a resolution of disapproval which would then be vetoed by Barack Obama and register a symbolic victory. Instead, opponents of the deal fell two votes short by a margin of 58-42. |
| Updated | |
| at 9.15pm BST | |
| 9.04pm BST | |
| 21:04 | |
| It’s worth noting that because of a quirk of Senate rules, Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader, will eventually have to vote against ending debate on the bill. | It’s worth noting that because of a quirk of Senate rules, Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader, will eventually have to vote against ending debate on the bill. |
| Under Senate rules, if he votes for the motion to end debate and it fails, he will not be able to bring back up again. Thus, McConnell, as the vote winds down, will change his vote so he has the option to bring up the legislation in the future. It won’t be a sign of the top Senate Republican suddenly sympathizing with the Obama Administration’s foreign policy. Instead, it will simply be yet another weird quirk of the Senate’s arcane rules materializing. | Under Senate rules, if he votes for the motion to end debate and it fails, he will not be able to bring back up again. Thus, McConnell, as the vote winds down, will change his vote so he has the option to bring up the legislation in the future. It won’t be a sign of the top Senate Republican suddenly sympathizing with the Obama Administration’s foreign policy. Instead, it will simply be yet another weird quirk of the Senate’s arcane rules materializing. |
| 8.51pm BST | |
| 20:51 | |
| Vote begins on ending debate on Iran deal bill | Vote begins on ending debate on Iran deal bill |
| The Senate is now holding the key vote on whether to end debate on legislation to disapprove of the Iran deal. This has a 60 vote threshold and, with 42 Democrats opposed, is expected to fail. | The Senate is now holding the key vote on whether to end debate on legislation to disapprove of the Iran deal. This has a 60 vote threshold and, with 42 Democrats opposed, is expected to fail. |
| Updated | |
| at 8.52pm BST | |
| 8.47pm BST | |
| 20:47 | |
| The one hope of Republicans was that they would succeed in wooing two Democrats who supported the Iran deal to vote to end debate and allow the measure to move to final consideration. They are not going to get one. | The one hope of Republicans was that they would succeed in wooing two Democrats who supported the Iran deal to vote to end debate and allow the measure to move to final consideration. They are not going to get one. |
| As Niels Lesniewski of Roll Call scoops, Delaware senator Chris Coons, who had previously expressed a willingness to break with his party on this procedural vote, will not. | As Niels Lesniewski of Roll Call scoops, Delaware senator Chris Coons, who had previously expressed a willingness to break with his party on this procedural vote, will not. |
| “I will vote against cloture today,” Coons said. “What that means is that debate will continue. Hopefully over the next several days … as debate continues, Leader McConnell will hear from enough members — Republicans and Democrats — and members will hear from enough constituents that they want us to take a final up-or-down vote, and the leader will reconsider and we will have an up-or-down vote with a 60-vote margin next week.” | “I will vote against cloture today,” Coons said. “What that means is that debate will continue. Hopefully over the next several days … as debate continues, Leader McConnell will hear from enough members — Republicans and Democrats — and members will hear from enough constituents that they want us to take a final up-or-down vote, and the leader will reconsider and we will have an up-or-down vote with a 60-vote margin next week.” |
| 8.44pm BST | |
| 20:44 | |
| Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio just finished expressing his opposition to the deal and warning that it will lead to doom. | Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio just finished expressing his opposition to the deal and warning that it will lead to doom. |
| Rubio: "I want to be recorded for history's purposes ... to say those of us who oppose this deal understood where it would lead." | Rubio: "I want to be recorded for history's purposes ... to say those of us who oppose this deal understood where it would lead." |
| 8.39pm BST | |
| 20:39 | |
| One long-shot Republican presidential candidate, former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore, criticized fellow GOP hopefuls like Ted Cruz for voting Corker-Cardin amendment yesterday. | One long-shot Republican presidential candidate, former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore, criticized fellow GOP hopefuls like Ted Cruz for voting Corker-Cardin amendment yesterday. |
| In an interview with the Guardian during the anti-Iran deal rally in front of the U.S. Capitol yesterday, Gilmore said that Corker-Cardin, which was approved 98-1 by the Senate “put us into this.” He condemned his four Republican opponents who voted for that provision, which guaranteed a vote in Congress. | In an interview with the Guardian during the anti-Iran deal rally in front of the U.S. Capitol yesterday, Gilmore said that Corker-Cardin, which was approved 98-1 by the Senate “put us into this.” He condemned his four Republican opponents who voted for that provision, which guaranteed a vote in Congress. |
| The anti-Iran rally marked the first public event of Gilmore’s presidential campaign, which he launched in July. The former Virginia governor’s poll numbers are so low that he has excluded from the CNN debate to be held next week. | The anti-Iran rally marked the first public event of Gilmore’s presidential campaign, which he launched in July. The former Virginia governor’s poll numbers are so low that he has excluded from the CNN debate to be held next week. |
| 8.31pm BST | |
| 20:31 | |
| Ardent Iran deal opponent Tom Cotton is now on the floor of the Senate railing against the agreement. The Arkansas Republican was the only senator to vote against the Corker-Cardin legislation to allow congressional vote on the deal on May. At the time, Cotton said the deal should be treated as treaty under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. | Ardent Iran deal opponent Tom Cotton is now on the floor of the Senate railing against the agreement. The Arkansas Republican was the only senator to vote against the Corker-Cardin legislation to allow congressional vote on the deal on May. At the time, Cotton said the deal should be treated as treaty under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. |
| 8.05pm BST | |
| 20:05 | |
| For all the procedural confusion in the Senate, it pales in comparison to the anarchy currently reigning in the House of Representatives. | For all the procedural confusion in the Senate, it pales in comparison to the anarchy currently reigning in the House of Representatives. |
| Currently, House Republicans are planning on taking three different votes. One would be on a resolution that targets Obama for not disclosing side deals made in connection to the nuclear agreement, a second to block any sanctions against Iran from being lifted until 2017 and the third on the deal itself. | Currently, House Republicans are planning on taking three different votes. One would be on a resolution that targets Obama for not disclosing side deals made in connection to the nuclear agreement, a second to block any sanctions against Iran from being lifted until 2017 and the third on the deal itself. |
| The third vote will be a motion to approve the Iran deal whereas the Senate will be vote an attempt to formally disapprove it and block it from going into effect. The difference is merely optics and, with the Iran deal a fait accompli, House Republicans see a failed vote to approve to deal to be more likely to resonate with voters. | The third vote will be a motion to approve the Iran deal whereas the Senate will be vote an attempt to formally disapprove it and block it from going into effect. The difference is merely optics and, with the Iran deal a fait accompli, House Republicans see a failed vote to approve to deal to be more likely to resonate with voters. |
| Updated | |
| at 8.17pm BST | |
| 7.33pm BST | |
| 19:33 | |
| Conservative opponents of the Iran Deal held a rally in front of the Capitol on Wednesday featuring Senator Ted Cruz and billionaire Donald Trump. | Conservative opponents of the Iran Deal held a rally in front of the Capitol on Wednesday featuring Senator Ted Cruz and billionaire Donald Trump. |
| The rally didn’t focus on the foreign policy details surrounding the deal. Instead, it highlighted the ideological shift within the conservative wing of the GOP as the zealous Tea Partiers of 2009 have shifted with the time. | The rally didn’t focus on the foreign policy details surrounding the deal. Instead, it highlighted the ideological shift within the conservative wing of the GOP as the zealous Tea Partiers of 2009 have shifted with the time. |
| I covered the event for the Guardian. You can read my dispatch here but these remarks from former Alaska governor Sarah Palin give a taste of the event: “Only in an Orwellian Obama world full of sprinkly fairy dust floating from atop a unicorn as he’s peeking through a pretty pink kaleidoscope would he ever see victory or safety for America or Israel in this treaty.” | I covered the event for the Guardian. You can read my dispatch here but these remarks from former Alaska governor Sarah Palin give a taste of the event: “Only in an Orwellian Obama world full of sprinkly fairy dust floating from atop a unicorn as he’s peeking through a pretty pink kaleidoscope would he ever see victory or safety for America or Israel in this treaty.” |
| Updated | |
| at 8.17pm BST | |
| 7.29pm BST | |
| 19:29 | |
| Right now, New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez, an agreement opponent is speaking on the floor of the Senate to share his reservations about the deal. He warns that the deal changes American policy from preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons to containing it. | Right now, New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez, an agreement opponent is speaking on the floor of the Senate to share his reservations about the deal. He warns that the deal changes American policy from preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons to containing it. |
| Menendez is one of four Senate Democrats who are opposed to the Iran Deal. The others are Ben Cardin of Maryland, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Chuck Schumer of New York. | Menendez is one of four Senate Democrats who are opposed to the Iran Deal. The others are Ben Cardin of Maryland, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Chuck Schumer of New York. |
| 7.18pm BST | |
| 19:18 | |
| In the final hours before the vote, supporters and opponents of the deal are making their closing arguments, both on Capitol Hill and in public. | In the final hours before the vote, supporters and opponents of the deal are making their closing arguments, both on Capitol Hill and in public. |
| In an ad release Tuesday, the No Nukes for Iran Project, a pro-deal group led by former Democratic congressman Robert Wexler, unveiled an ad starring retired Israeli general Uzi Eilam. | In an ad release Tuesday, the No Nukes for Iran Project, a pro-deal group led by former Democratic congressman Robert Wexler, unveiled an ad starring retired Israeli general Uzi Eilam. |
| Eilam, who served under both Likud and Labor governments in Israel, says the deal is the best way to check Iran’s nuclear ambitions. As he says in the ad, “here is a reality check: there is no ideal Middle East, there is no ideal agreement with Iran, and this deal isn’t perfect. But if the United States Congress kills this multinational agreement, things will get worse, not better.” | Eilam, who served under both Likud and Labor governments in Israel, says the deal is the best way to check Iran’s nuclear ambitions. As he says in the ad, “here is a reality check: there is no ideal Middle East, there is no ideal agreement with Iran, and this deal isn’t perfect. But if the United States Congress kills this multinational agreement, things will get worse, not better.” |
| 6.54pm BST | |
| 18:54 | |
| This afternoon, the Washington Post published an op-ed from three major European leaders, Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Francois Hollande of France and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, in support of the Iran Deal. | This afternoon, the Washington Post published an op-ed from three major European leaders, Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Francois Hollande of France and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, in support of the Iran Deal. |
| The three European leaders write: | The three European leaders write: |
| We fully support this agreement because it achieves the goals we had set ourselves. It deals with the uranium enrichment route to a bomb by requiring Iran to reduce by 98 percent its stockpile of enriched uranium; to lower by two-thirds the number of its centrifuges; to limit uranium enrichment levels; and to stop using the deep Fordow site for enrichment. It closes the plutonium route through changes to the Arak reactor so that it does not produce weapons-grade plutonium. And it ensures the IAEA enhanced access not only to Iran’s nuclear facilities and the entire nuclear fuel cycle but also, where needed, to any undeclared site. | We fully support this agreement because it achieves the goals we had set ourselves. It deals with the uranium enrichment route to a bomb by requiring Iran to reduce by 98 percent its stockpile of enriched uranium; to lower by two-thirds the number of its centrifuges; to limit uranium enrichment levels; and to stop using the deep Fordow site for enrichment. It closes the plutonium route through changes to the Arak reactor so that it does not produce weapons-grade plutonium. And it ensures the IAEA enhanced access not only to Iran’s nuclear facilities and the entire nuclear fuel cycle but also, where needed, to any undeclared site. |
| 6.13pm BST | |
| 18:13 | |
| Months of drama over the Obama administration’s controversial nuclear deal with Iran may finally come to an end on Thursday after a vote in the US Senate. | Months of drama over the Obama administration’s controversial nuclear deal with Iran may finally come to an end on Thursday after a vote in the US Senate. |
| While a bipartisan majority of senators is opposed to the Iran deal, opponents of the nuclear pact do not have the 60-vote supermajority needed to end debate on a bill to formally disapprove of the international agreement. | While a bipartisan majority of senators is opposed to the Iran deal, opponents of the nuclear pact do not have the 60-vote supermajority needed to end debate on a bill to formally disapprove of the international agreement. |
| In plain English, this means the motion of disapproval of the bill will never even come to a vote – a victory for Barack Obama in his attempt to make the deal stick. | In plain English, this means the motion of disapproval of the bill will never even come to a vote – a victory for Barack Obama in his attempt to make the deal stick. |
| If the vote to disapprove of the deal fails today, this would serve to short-circuit any further attempts by congressional Republicans to thwart the agreement before the 60-day deadline for legislative review expires. | If the vote to disapprove of the deal fails today, this would serve to short-circuit any further attempts by congressional Republicans to thwart the agreement before the 60-day deadline for legislative review expires. |
| While the vote is largely for show, there is no viable path for opponents of the deal to pass legislation to stop the agreement by veto-proof majorities, so it will mark the end of the legislative fight over the agreement. (Some Republicans are insisting, however, that they will try to overturn the deal through the courts.) | While the vote is largely for show, there is no viable path for opponents of the deal to pass legislation to stop the agreement by veto-proof majorities, so it will mark the end of the legislative fight over the agreement. (Some Republicans are insisting, however, that they will try to overturn the deal through the courts.) |
| There is bipartisan consensus around the ultimate goal of the deal, which is to prevent the Iranian regime from developing a nuclear weapon. However, opponents of the agreement have long warned that it does not contain sufficient safeguards to accomplish its goal. | There is bipartisan consensus around the ultimate goal of the deal, which is to prevent the Iranian regime from developing a nuclear weapon. However, opponents of the agreement have long warned that it does not contain sufficient safeguards to accomplish its goal. |
| The July deal struck between Iran and six world powers provides Tehran relief from crippling economic sanctions in exchange for limits on its nuclear program. | The July deal struck between Iran and six world powers provides Tehran relief from crippling economic sanctions in exchange for limits on its nuclear program. |
| A vote is expected at around 3.45pm ET (8.45pm BST). We’ll have live coverage of the vote and all congressional proceedings here. | A vote is expected at around 3.45pm ET (8.45pm BST). We’ll have live coverage of the vote and all congressional proceedings here. |
| Updated | |
| at 6.45pm BST |