Mediaboss Marketing

Corker spent the weekend negotiating with Sens. Ben Cardin and Robert Menendez. Those talks appear to have borne fruit. | Getty

Top Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are nearing a deal on legislation that would allow Congress to review any nuclear agreement with Iran, a potential breakthrough that could herald a veto-proof majority for the measure.

Key congressional negotiators are confident they can strike a bipartisan agreement just hours ahead of a Tuesday afternoon committee vote on the bill, which would allow Congress to block President Barack Obama from quickly lifting legislative sanctions on Tehran. Irans leaders want the sanctions which have battered their economy to be waived swiftly after a final nuclear deal is reached.

Story Continued Below

I dont want to ever commit and under-deliver and I dont think I ever have. We are moving in a very positive direction and weve worked through some issues that give me a lot of hope, Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) told reporters on Monday evening. I think weve been successful in that if we bring it to the floor, well have a positive vote.

Corker spent the weekend negotiating with Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, the panels ranking member, and Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the former top Democrat on the panel who co-wrote the bill with Corker. Those talks appear to have borne fruit.

After deliberating with his Democratic colleagues on Monday, Cardin was bullish on the bills prospects. Im hopeful for tomorrow well have an agreement, Cardin said. I think we can get to a place where we deal with the White Houses concerns, and maintain the purpose of the bill.

Republicans have consistently blasted Obamas efforts to negotiate with Tehran, but some Democrats are likewise alarmed by the administrations diplomatic efforts. At the least, there appears to be broad support in both parties for allowing Congress to weigh in on the final deal.

The last-minute Hill negotiations reflects the administrations concerns that it could be steamrolled by Congress if it doesnt engage with Corkers committee. For the White House, and allies like Cardin, its better to try and limit the bills reach if it cant be stopped.

Corkers going to need all the votes he can muster once the bill reaches the Senate floor. Obama is likely to threaten a veto even though Corker has offered concessions, including softening a requirement that the administration certify that Iran is not directly sponsoring terrorism against the United States. In another compromise with Democrats, Corker is willing to allow the president to waive sanctions on a faster timetable than the 60-day waiting period envisioned in earlier versions of his bill.

Read this article:
Corker and Democrats nearing deal on Iran bill