Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, is among a number of Democrats outraged over a letter Senate Republicans sent to Iran’s government which said any deal struck without congressional approval could be revoked “with the stroke of a pen” by the next president, or modified by “any future Congresses.”
While White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the letter “is the continuation of a partisan strategy to undermine the president’s authority,” and said the final deal on Iran would not be subject to congressional approval, according to The Hill.
Durbin said GOP Senators need to think twice about their “political stunt.”
“This is a cynical effort by Republican Senators to undermine sensitive international negotiations — it weakens America’s hand and highlights our political divisions to the rest of the world,” Durbin said in a statement. “Understand that if these negotiations fail, a military response to Iran developing their nuclear capability becomes more likely.
“These Republican Senators should think twice about whether their political stunt is worth the threat of another war in the Middle East.”
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, said Republicans are doing their best to “sabotage” the talks.
“This bizarre, inappropriate letter is a desperate ploy to scuttle a comprehensive agreement and the chance for a peaceful resolution, which is in the best interests of the United States, Israel and the world,” Boxer said in a statement.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, also weighed in:
Republicans are undermining our Commander-in-Chief while empowering Iran’s hardline ayatollahs.
— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) March 9, 2015
h/t: The Hill
