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| House rejects Obama’s nuclear accord with Iran in symbolic vote | House rejects Obama’s nuclear accord with Iran in symbolic vote |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US House of Representatives on Friday rejected Barack Obama’s nuclear accord with Iran, in a symbolic vote that will have no consequence for the implementation of the deal. | The US House of Representatives on Friday rejected Barack Obama’s nuclear accord with Iran, in a symbolic vote that will have no consequence for the implementation of the deal. |
| Related: Further sabotage of the Iran deal won't bring success — only embarrassment | Ali Gharib | Related: Further sabotage of the Iran deal won't bring success — only embarrassment | Ali Gharib |
| Taking a different approach from the Senate, where Democrats on Thursday paved the way for the nuclear deal to move forward by filibustering a disapproval resolution, the House instead voted on a resolution to approve the agreement. | Taking a different approach from the Senate, where Democrats on Thursday paved the way for the nuclear deal to move forward by filibustering a disapproval resolution, the House instead voted on a resolution to approve the agreement. |
| The resolution failed 162-269, with not a single Republican voting in favor and 25 Democrats joining them. | The resolution failed 162-269, with not a single Republican voting in favor and 25 Democrats joining them. |
| The measure was expected to fail, given Republicans who control the chamber have been uniformly against the deal that was negotiated between Iran and six world powers. House Republican leaders decided to pursue the approval resolution as a way to effectively force Democrats who had voiced support for the president to formally register such endorsement. | The measure was expected to fail, given Republicans who control the chamber have been uniformly against the deal that was negotiated between Iran and six world powers. House Republican leaders decided to pursue the approval resolution as a way to effectively force Democrats who had voiced support for the president to formally register such endorsement. |
| The fate of the deal had been settled by the Senate, where 42 Democrats rallied behind Obama. When conservatives revolted in protest, Republican leaders in the House abandoned plans to vote on a similar disapproval resolution. The chamber’s right flank wanted tougher action from its leader. | |
| That prompted the House speaker, John Boehner, to hold two additional votes: one to state that the Obama administration had failed to meet the requirements of a congressional review period on the deal, by not disclosing to lawmakers details of so-called “side deals” between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and another that would prevent the US from lifting sanctions on Tehran. | That prompted the House speaker, John Boehner, to hold two additional votes: one to state that the Obama administration had failed to meet the requirements of a congressional review period on the deal, by not disclosing to lawmakers details of so-called “side deals” between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and another that would prevent the US from lifting sanctions on Tehran. |
| The White House has rejected the notion that any such “secret” side deals exist, saying instead that bilateral pacts require Iran to report on its prior military-related nuclear activity to the IAEA in order to receive sanctions relief. | The White House has rejected the notion that any such “secret” side deals exist, saying instead that bilateral pacts require Iran to report on its prior military-related nuclear activity to the IAEA in order to receive sanctions relief. |
| Under fairly routine rules for the IAEA, lawmakers were invited to be briefed on the contents of such pacts in a classified setting, but the text itself could not be disclosed. | Under fairly routine rules for the IAEA, lawmakers were invited to be briefed on the contents of such pacts in a classified setting, but the text itself could not be disclosed. |
| The measure blocking the lifting of sanctions passed 246-186 on a party line vote, with just two Democrats joining 244 Republicans in voting for it. But it remains unlikely to even reach Obama’s desk – to do so, Republican leaders in the Senate will have to bring it up for a vote. Democrats would be all but certain to filibuster. | The measure blocking the lifting of sanctions passed 246-186 on a party line vote, with just two Democrats joining 244 Republicans in voting for it. But it remains unlikely to even reach Obama’s desk – to do so, Republican leaders in the Senate will have to bring it up for a vote. Democrats would be all but certain to filibuster. |
| Obama has threatened to veto any legislation seeking to dismantle the deal, which was the product of more than two years of negotiations and is viewed by his administration as a central component of his legacy. | Obama has threatened to veto any legislation seeking to dismantle the deal, which was the product of more than two years of negotiations and is viewed by his administration as a central component of his legacy. |
| Obama said he was “gratified” by the strong show of support among Democrats, praising members of his own party for thoroughly reviewing the agreement making reaching a decision. | |
| “Today’s vote in the House of Representatives is the latest indication that the more members have studied the historic deal that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, the more they have come out in support of it,” the president said in a statement after the vote. | |
| “As we conclude the most consequential national security debate since the decision to invade Iraq, I am gratified that the lawmakers, led by Democratic leader Pelosi, who have taken care to judge the deal on the merits are joining our allies and partners around the world in taking steps that will allow for the implementation of this long-term, comprehensive deal. | |
| “Now, we must turn to the critical work of implementing and verifying this deal so that Iran cannot pursue a nuclear weapon. In doing so, we’ll write the latest chapter of American leadership in the pursuit of a safer, more hopeful world.” | |
| The House proceedings, which were deliberately scheduled on the 14th anniversary of the 11 September terrorist attacks, were at times dramatic – as members invoked a dark day in American history in arguing against any deal with Iran. | |
| Representative Mike Kelly, a Republican from Pennsylvania, stood next to a poster with images from the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. He launched into a speech about United Airlines Flight 93 – the plane that ultimately crashed into the ground, after passengers revolted against the hijackers. | |
| Kelly referred to chants used by hardliners in Iran, saying: “As we let our eyes fill with tears over the great loss that day, and as our ears pick up on the message from our enemies in the east – ‘Death to Israel! Death to the Great Satan! Death to America!’ – Never again! Never again! Never again! | Kelly referred to chants used by hardliners in Iran, saying: “As we let our eyes fill with tears over the great loss that day, and as our ears pick up on the message from our enemies in the east – ‘Death to Israel! Death to the Great Satan! Death to America!’ – Never again! Never again! Never again! |
| “Do not sacrifice the safety, the security and the stability of 300 million Americans for the legacy of one man.” Kelly was rebuked moments later by Joseph Crowley, a Democratic representative from New York who said he knew people who died on 9/11. “I think he did a disservice to the House and to this debate by bringing up the issue of 9/11,” Crowley said. “I do thank him for his honesty, for at least showing that’s what this is all about – having this debate today and this vote today to stir the emotions of the American people.” | “Do not sacrifice the safety, the security and the stability of 300 million Americans for the legacy of one man.” Kelly was rebuked moments later by Joseph Crowley, a Democratic representative from New York who said he knew people who died on 9/11. “I think he did a disservice to the House and to this debate by bringing up the issue of 9/11,” Crowley said. “I do thank him for his honesty, for at least showing that’s what this is all about – having this debate today and this vote today to stir the emotions of the American people.” |