WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled Senate is pushing aside amendments offered by two of its most conservative members in order to clear the way for likely approval of a bill that would give Congress the power to review a nuclear agreement with Iran.

For the past week, the Senate has fought more than 67 amendments to the proposed bill, all of them introduced by Republicans. When the Senate votes on a leadership proposal to cut off debate, likely on Thursday, it would lock out votes on the amendments and mark a clear defeat for two freshmen senators, Marco Rubio of Florida and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, whose proposals have attracted the most controversy.

Rubio, a presidential candidate, wanted any deal to be contingent on Iran recognizing the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state. Cotton wanted a vote on an amendment that would have required Iran to allow inspectors access to any suspicious nuclear sites.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky requested the vote to end the filibuster. It’s likely to win easy approval, setting the stage for a final vote on the overall bill, though it’s still unknown exactly when that might happen.

McConnell and allies feared the amendments, if passed, would upset a bipartisan deal that also included an initially reluctant White House and draw a veto from President Obama.

In a speech Wednesday, McConnell said the bill, called the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, offers Congress the best chance to weigh in on any deal negotiated by the Obama administration.

“Many wish the bill was stronger – I don’t disagree with them,” McConnell said. “But this is a piece of legislation worthy of our support.”

When Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada blamed the Republicans for offering “poison pills” aimed at killing the bill, Cotton shot back, calling the amendments “vitamin pills” aimed at improving the legislation.

Reid called the bill historic and “a delicate compromise” that should not be altered. He said every GOP amendment was an attempt “to denigrate and hurt and destroy” the bill.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.