Key Democrat to oppose Iran deal

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The Hill:

Sen. Bob Menendez on Tuesday announced his opposition to President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, becoming the second Senate Democrat to defy the White House on a top foreign policy priority.

“I have looked into my own soul and my devotion to principle may once again lead me to an unpopular course, but if Iran is to acquire a nuclear bomb, it will not have my name on it,” Menendez (D-N.J.) said in a speech Tuesday afternoon.

“It is for these reasons that I will vote to disapprove the agreement and, if called upon, would vote to override a veto,” Menendez said.

The decision, though expected, strikes another blow to the administration’s efforts to rally support for the deal as Congress prepares to vote on it in September.

The president, although on vacation, has been reportedly calling members of Congress during the recess break.

The president’s push comes amid furious lobbying by pro- and anti-deal groups targeting undecided Democrats.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Senate’s third-ranking Democrat, announced his opposition on Aug. 6.

Republicans now only need four more Democratic defections to pass a measure disapproving of the deal in the Senate, though they would need several more to override Obama’s expected veto of any such legislation.

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