Reuters, Washington, 23 July 2014 – U.S. Republican lawmakers introduced legislation on Wednesday that would force President Barack Obama to submit quickly to Congress any comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran and give lawmakers the chance to reject the deal and re-impose sanctions.
The five senators introduced their bill just five days after Iran and six world powers announced they had failed to meet a deadline to end a decade-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear program and agreed to extend an interim agreement for four months, including some further sanctions relief for Tehran.
News of the extension was greeted with anger by many U.S. lawmakers, particularly Republicans worried that Tehran has not been negotiating in good faith.
They also fear that Democratic President Obama will concede too much to Iran in order to claim a foreign policy victory.
“Congress must weigh in on any final deal, ensure Iranian compliance is strictly enforced and provide a backstop to prevent a bad deal from occurring,” said Senator Bob Corker, one of the bill’s co-sponsors and the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The bill’s other sponsors are South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, John McCain of Arizona and James Risch of Idaho. All except Graham are members of the foreign relations panel.