President Barack Obama is one vote away from ensuring Congress cannot override his veto of a resolution to kill the Iran nuclear deal, with two Democratic senators announcing Tuesday that they are officially on board.
Sens. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Chris Coons of Delaware became the 32nd and 33rd senators to announce their support.
Coons first confirmed his support to the Washington Post. In prepared remarks to be delivered at the University of Delaware Tuesday afternoon, Coons said that while it is not the deal he hoped for, he does not believe there is a perfect deal.
Sens. Chris Coons, second left, and Bob Casey, left, meet with supporters, Oct. 26, 2010, in Wilmington, Del. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“Ultimately, after consulting with financial and policy experts, I'm convinced that the potential turmoil for our key alliances in Europe and Asia and the uncertainty of the outcome of forcing our reluctant allies back to the table are not worth the uncertain possibility that we could secure a stronger deal,” Coons said. “Thus, in a very hard choice between either rejecting the agreement and taking on the uncertainty and risks of compelling a return to sanctions and negotiations or a path that accepts the positives of this deal and attempts to manage and minimize the short and long term consequences of its flaws, I choose the latter. I will support this agreement and vote against any measures to disapprove it in Congress.”
Casey said the deal is in the best interest of the country.
"This agreement will substantially constrain the Iranian nuclear program or its duration, and compared with all realistic alternatives, it is the best option available to us at this time," he wrote in an 8,000-word memo first reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Obama needs 34 votes in the Senate to uphold a veto of a Republican resolution to block portions of the nuclear agreement reached with Iran and six world powers.
Opponents of the deal hoped for some momentum after Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is expected to be the next Democratic leader, announced his opposition, but Schumer is joined only by Democratic New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez.
