In a major foreign policy victory, US President Barack Obama has secured the support of 34 senators for the Iran nuclear deal giving the White House enough votes to prevent Republicans from scuttling the agreement.The magic number of 34 to sustain his veto of a resolution of disapproval in the 100 senator chamber was reached with Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland announcing support for the deal.With the agreement between Iran and six world powers -- the US, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- to curb Iran's nuclear weapons programme in return for lifting the sanctions secured, the White House is now pushing to get 41 votes needed to filibuster the move.While majorities of both the Republican-controlled House and Senate are poised to vote against the agreement, a filibuster would prevent the resolution from even getting to a final vote in the Senate.
But Secretary of State John Kerry said the administration will continue to try and push support for the deal past the 34 votes they now have "until the last moment"."Thirty-four votes are obviously enough votes for the president's veto to be upheld," he told CNN. "That is not satisfactory for us. We do want to try to go further. We'll continue to persuade."Nearly all Republicans have come out against the agreement, arguing it sets up weak standards for international inspectors to monitor whether Iran is complying with the agreement.But only two Democratic senators -- Chuck Schumer of New York and Bob Menendez of New Jersey -- have announced they oppose it.The Senate's 54 Republicans would need four more Democrats to join them in opposing the deal to end the filibuster and send the resolution disapproving of the deal for a vote.Republicans -- backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel -- have vowed to press forward with a resolution of disapproval next week after lawmakers return from a summer recess.
While no dates have been set for the votes on the agreement, the Congress must act before September 17, the 60-day deadline for Congress to overturn the deal.House Speaker John Boehner's spokesman Cory Fritz said the White House shouldn't be celebrating."Forcing a bad deal, over the objections of the American people and a majority in Congress, is no win for President Obama," he said.Vice President Joe Biden, meanwhile, tweeted that "The #IranDeal is the best available option to block Iran from a bomb. It is in our national security interests."