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WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Senate nears a critical vote on the international nuclear accord with Iran, President Barack Obama has made a last-minute appeal for support.
He told a gathering of military veterans and others today that America's strength comes partly through "principled diplomacy." Obama says it would be a "historic achievement" to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons without having to go to war.
Foes of the deal don't have the Senate votes to move ahead with a resolution of disapproval. The opponents have come up against a complicated congressional review process that gave unusual power to Democratic minorities in the House and Senate. They can secure a win for Obama simply by upholding his veto of a disapproval resolution. And with at least 41 votes in the Senate, Democrats will be able to block that resolution with a filibuster.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says it would be a "tragedy" if senators who earlier voted to give Congress the right to disapprove the Iran deal now use a filibuster to block the disapproval resolution.
House Republicans have launched some last-ditch maneuvers to try to derail the deal, but the efforts appear unlikely to deny Obama a win on his top foreign policy priority. House Speaker John Boehner told reporters today that legal action to stop the agreement "is an option that is very possible."
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183-a-14-(House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, at news conference)-"he has complied"-House Speaker John Boehner says the House should get more time to consider the deal -- since President Obama isn't honoring his deal with Congress to turn over all relavent documents. (10 Sep 2015)
<<CUT *183 (09/10/15)££ 00:14 "he has complied"
199-a-12-(President Barack Obama, speaking to reporters during meeting with veterans and families of troops killed)-"consider unintended consequences"-President Obama says he hopes those who casually threaten U.S. military strikes on Iran listen to the voices of those who've fought in wars -- or the families of those who've paid the ultimate prices. (10 Sep 2015)
<<CUT *199 (09/10/15)££ 00:12 "consider unintended consequences"
APPHOTO DCPM112: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, right, listens to Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., center, speak to reporters and are joined by from left, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (9 Sep 2015)
<<APPHOTO DCPM112 (09/09/15)££
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