Congress won’t get tough on Iran

By Bob Jack, North Las Vegas

Tuesday, June 9, 2015 | 2 a.m.

The Senate recently submitted a bill to the White House giving the Senate the authority to review the final deal reached by the Obama administration with Iran relating to Iran’s nuclear development program. On May 13, the House sent the same substantive authorization bill to the White House, permitting the full Congress the same authority.

Keep in mind that the agreement is expected to only delay Iran from reaching nuclear bomb-making capability, not prevent it permanently. Common predictions are that Iran, even after this deal is finalized, can reach military nuclear capability in about 10 years. This result is not in America’s or the world’s best interests. Consequently, it is predictable that Congress will vote down the deal when it arrives on the Hill.

The problem is that President Barack Obama can veto that disapproval and Congress then must muster a 67 percent override to stop the deal. Congress is unlikely to achieve that many votes; therefore, the Iranian deal would go through.

So additional amendments to these bills must be floated and debated in the Senate and House without delay. However, Republican leadership appears too timid to allow it — knowing nuclear bomb capability will meet the world at the terminal point of any agreement. This is a classic case of kicking the can down the road. It’s clear to me that House leadership is predisposed not to take any further action. Their opinion is that this is the best deal Congress can achieve. It’s a weak position.