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Two more Senate Democrats endorse Iran deal

Susan Davis
USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Two additional Senate Democrats announced Thursday they will support the Iran nuclear agreement, edging President Obama closer to the margin he needs to block GOP efforts to scuttle the deal.

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn.

"It isn't a perfect agreement. But it is a strong one," Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., wrote in an editorial for CNN. "This agreement is, in my opinion, the most effective, realistic way to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon anytime in the next 15 years."

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., also endorsed the deal Thursday. Tester chairs the Senate Democrats' 2016 campaign operation. "After reading the agreement, consulting with experts and listening to Montanans, it’s clear this deal is the only option right now to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon," Tester said in a statement.

The senators' announcement makes them the 18th and 19th Democratic senators to publicly endorse the deal reached between the U.S., Iran and five other countries to halt Iran's nuclear weapon ambitions in exchange for loosening economic sanctions and inspections.

GOP congressional leaders will bring to the House and Senate floors by Sept. 17 resolutions of disapproval that seek to block the deal from taking place. Obama has already said he will veto it if it reaches his desk.

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Congress could then vote to override a veto, which would require the support of two-thirds of lawmakers in each body. Obama would need either 34 senators or 146 House members to oppose an override in order to uphold the veto.

The administration is still 15 senators shy of that goal.

So far, Senate Democratic leaders are split on the deal. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who is poised to become the next Senate Democratic leader, opposes the deal. However, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., supports it and is aiding the administration's efforts on Capitol Hill.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., have not announced their positions.

In the House, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., backs the deal and is also working to shore up the support the administration needs. With 188 Democratic votes, the administration can only lose 42 House Democrats if every Republican opposes the deal. So far, only about a dozen House Democrats are publicly opposed.

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