Chuck Schumer to Vote Against Obama’s Iran Deal- By Marisa Schultz and Joe Tacopino
http://nypost.com/2015/08/06/chuck-schumer-to-reject-obamas-iran-deal/
Sen. Charles Schumer ended weeks of indecision Thursday night by announcing he would not support President Obama’s landmark nuclear deal with Iran.
The high-ranking Democrat released a statement saying that after “considerable soul-searching” he determined that there are “serious weaknesses” in the accord signed by Iran and six world powers in mid-July.
“I will vote to disapprove the agreement, not because I believe war is a viable or desirable option, nor to challenge the path of diplomacy,” Schumer said.
“It is because I believe Iran will not change, and under this agreement it will be able to achieve its dual goals of eliminating sanctions while ultimately retaining its nuclear and non-nuclear power.”
The senator has been under intense pressure to vote now from opponents of the Iran deal — including many of his own Jewish allies.
Obama needs the support of 34 Democratic senators to sustain the veto he has promised if Congress tries to block the pact. And Schumer made it clear he’d talk to his fellow Democrats about his decision, but would respect their final call.
Many opponents of the pact had hoped that as the presumptive incoming Democratic leader, Schumer would use his political clout to kill the deal.
Instead, Schumer said he would advise the Democratic caucus and leave it up to each lawmaker’s own conscience how to vote.
“There are some who believe that I can force my colleagues to vote my way,” Schumer said.
“While I will certainly share my view and try to persuade them that the vote to disapprove is the right one, in my experience with matters of conscience and great consequence like this, each member ultimately comes to their own conclusion.”
New York’s senior senator, who will make a formal announcement of his opposition Friday, still tipped his cap to Obama for his work on the deal.
“I give tremendous credit to President Obama for his work on this issue. The President, Secretary Kerry and their team have spent painstaking months and years pushing Iran to come to an agreement,” he said. “Iran would not have come to the table without the President’s persistent efforts to convince the Europeans, the Russians, and the Chinese to join in the sanctions.”
His announcement came hours after fellow New York Democrat Kirstin Gillibrand said she would be a supporter.
Schumer’s and Gillibrand’s announcements followed Obama’s impassioned, hour-long speech appealing for congressional support.
Five New York congressional Democrats have already denounced the deal: Reps. Steve Israel, Kathleen Rice, Nita Lowey, Grace Meng and Eliot Engel, who disclosed his decision soon after Schumer’s announcement.
New York Republicans Lee Zeldin and Peter King are also opposed, as are most GOPers.
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