Senate Committee Votes in Favor of Sanctions Bill

The Banking Committee of the United States Senate on Thursday voted 18-4 in favor of advancing a bill that would toughen sanctions on Iran if international negotiators fail to reach an agreement on its nuclear program by the end of June, Reuters reported.

 

However, the bill is not expected to come up for a vote in the full Senate until at least March 24.

 

Ten Democrats, including bill co-author Senator Robert Menendez, announced earlier this week that they will hold off on new sanctions for two months to allow time to reach a diplomatic solution.

 

Republicans would need those votes to pass the bill, and even more votes to override a veto threatened by President Barack Obama, who has called the measure a threat to the continuing nuclear talks with Iran.

 

In the committee, only four Democrats voted against the bill, which was also sponsored by Republican Senator Mark Kirk. The other six joined the panel’s 12-member Republican majority to pass it, noted Reuters.

 

“This legislation has been carefully calibrated to achieve our ultimate goal, which is to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapon capability,” Menendez said.

 

Read More: Senate Committee Votes in Favor of Sanctions Bill – News from America – News – Arutz Sheva