More Senate Democrats back Obama in Iran nuclear deal

PanARMENIAN.Net - Democrats on Tuesday, September 8, gave President Barack Obama the votes he needs to prevent the Senate from passing a measure disapproving of the Iran nuclear deal, CNN News reports.

Reaching the threshold to filibuster means the President likely won't need to veto the measure, even though opposition to the Iran deal enjoys majority support in the House and Senate.

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Michigan Sen. Gary Peters and Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden on Tuesday all announced in rapid fire succession they would support the deal, putting Obama at 41 votes of support in the Senate. By late Tuesday evening, Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell announced she would be the 42nd supportive Democrat, an extra buffer.

All Senate Democrats have now announced where they stand on the deal.

The Senate would need 60 votes to advance a measure rejecting the deal for a floor vote. If 41 of the Democrats who support the deal vote to filibuster, it would not reach a final vote in the Senate. Not all have pledged to do so, though they have pledged to vote with the President on the deal otherwise.

Congress returns to Washington on Tuesday to begin a frenzied fall legislative session, which will include votes on the Iran deal before a Sept. 17 deadline.

Also on Wednesday, Democratic front-runner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will deliver her own speech on the Iran deal, where she's expected to unequivocally support it.