Congress to scrutinize Iran deal this week

WASHINGTON A trio of top administration officials are making the rounds on Capitol Hill this week to assuage bipartisan concerns and shore up support for the pending Iran nuclear deal.

Secretary of State John Kerry, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew lead the Obama administration’s efforts against a likely push by many lawmakers to block the agreement from taking effect.

Kerry, Moniz and Lew will lead two classified briefings Wednesday with House and Senate members. The trio will appear publicly Thursday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

They are likely to face tough questions from lawmakers in both parties about the international agreement reached among the U. S., Iran and five other nations to restrict Iran’s nuclear activities and allow inspections in exchange for easing sanctions.

Skeptical lawmakers were further irked Monday after the United Nations Security Council unanimously endorsed the deal before Congress had vetted it, which some members viewed as a slight to the legislative branch.

“I think the president’s political move to go to the U. N. has backfired,” House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R- Calif., said Tuesday.

“Rather than giving people the time to review it, the president made a mad dash to the United Nations, made an end run around Congress and the elected representatives of the people,” said Sen. John Barrasso, R- Wyo.

Under a law passed this year with bipartisan support, Congress has a 60- day window to review the deal and vote on a resolution to approve it, disapprove it or take no action. The clock started ticking Monday, giving Congress until Sept. 17.

Almost all Republicans have panned the deal. McCarthy conceded that the administration needs to maintain only enough support to sustain a veto of legislation aimed at blocking the deal. “I do not believe a veto- proof margin is out of reach,” he said.

Democratic leaders are working to provide that margin. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D- Nev., said “everyone should keep their powder dry” before the administration has a chance to make its case.

“I think the president’s political move to go to the U. N. has backfired.” House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R- Calif.