Senate blocks attempt to tie Iran deal to Israel, prisoners
(Worthy News) – Senate Democrats on Thursday beat back a Republican attempt to tie a vote on the nuclear deal with Iran to a requirement that the rogue nation officially recognize the state of Israel and release American prisoners before sanctions on Tehran can be lifted.
This series of votes should bring the Senate’s effort to dismantle the deal to an end for the time being, as Congress’s 60-day period to review and potentially block the agreement concluded on Thursday and Republicans turn their attention to other pending issues.
Forty-five Democrats, enough to maintain a filibuster, united to block a resolution that would have tied implementation of the deal to Iran recognizing the state of Israel and releasing American prisoners, including Washington Post Tehran correspondent Jason Rezaian.
Democrats then for the third time over the past week blocked an up or down vote on the overall agreement on a 56 to 42, with 60 votes needed to advance the measure. [ Source ]