Senator Chuck Schumer, a long time hawkish Israeli supporter, is leading a behind-the-scenes campaign in the US Senate to build support for a sanctions resolution against Iran, according to a report.
The push for additional sanctions against Iran has put the Senate’s Number 3 Democrat at sharp odds with the Obama administration which has repeatedly warned the passage of such measure would undercut the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran, The Hill reported.
Å“He’s an original cosponsor,” said Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), who drafted the sanctions bill with Robert Menendez (D-NJ), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Å“I would say he probably has the greatest sway inside his conference.”
Sen. Schumer is encouraging members, especially Democrats, to support the sanctions bill which so far has been publicly endorsed by 59 senators, 43 Republicans and 16 Democrats.
The bill which was introduced on Dec. 19 initially had the backing of 26 senators. The White House was quick to condemn the measure at the time, saying President Barack Obama would veto the bill Å“if it were to pass” Congress.
As support for the bill grows in the Senate, the White House has renewed its warnings.
Å“I think that we remain hopeful that Congress will not pass such a sanctions bill because of the negative effect that would have on the ongoing negotiations,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters on Friday.
Carney added that the Obama administration does not think the legislation Å“will be enacted” and reiterated that Obama will veto the bill.
National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan has also issued a statement against the bill implying it would lead to a military action.
Å“If certain members of Congress want the United States to take military action, they should be up front with the American public and say so,” National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said in a statement.
Meanwhile, William Daroff, chief lobbyist for the Jewish Federations of North America, tweeted this week that a Å“VERY reliable source” had told him the sanctions bill has the support of 34 Democrats if it comes to a vote “ more than enough to override Obamaâ„¢s veto threat, The Hill said.
Several other influential lobby groups, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), are working hard to build support for the measure.
Tehran has warned that any new sanctions would kill Å“the entire deal” reached between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany in Geneva on November 24.
HJ/HJ
Source: Press TV