Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday pressured Democrats to refrain from blocking a vote this fall on the Iran nuclear deal.
“Nearly every member of both parties voted to have this debate,” the Republican leader said. “Surely senators wouldn’t then turn around and block a proper debate from even proceeding.”
McConnell added that it is his “hope” that senators “can reach an agreement” to allow a resolution on the Iran nuclear deal to come up for a vote, and allow for a “thorough, thoughtful and respectful debate.”
Under legislation on the nuclear deal passed earlier this year, the Senate can take up a resolution of disapproval, a resolution of approval, or do nothing. It’s unclear which path senators will decide to take.
McConnell said “every senator owes as much to this institution” to allow for debate and vote on the nuclear deal, which was reached last month between negotiators from Iran, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China and Russia.
Under the deal, Iran accepted limits to its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
“Can we call up the resolution and respectfully debate it without employing delay tactics designed specifically to impede the Senate’s review of such a weighty matter?” McConnell added.
With the Senate soon expected to leave town for a five-week recess, members will return to Washington in September with less than two weeks to debate and vote on the deal.
Republicans have largely lined up against the agreement, with the majority of Senate Democrats heading into the recess publicly undecided.
Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Monday that while he would work with McConnell on taking up an Iran resolution “in a dignified manner.”
“I will lend my efforts to try to get that done. Easier said than done with the feelings on the both sides of the aisle on this issue and other issues,” he added.

The Hill, 4 August 2015