Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is considering delaying the introduction of his Iran sanctions bill until March, which would give him more time to gather support from wavering Democrats, according to a recent interview.
The bill, co-authored with Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), would impose new sanctions if international negotiators do not reach a deal with Iran to roll back its nuclear program by the June 30 deadline, with a waiver if a deal is close.

“If sanctions aren’t in place, his only options will be a military option, or to accept a nuclear-armed Iran,” Menendez, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told The Star-Ledger. “By having sanctions in place, you have a third way.”

However, President Obama has threatened to veto the bill if it passes before then, concerned that the bill would derail the talks. Menendez that putting sanctions in place takes months, so having sanctions ready to go would give the president options.

Democrats who last year co-sponsored a previous version of the bill have expressed reluctance to override the president in recent days.

By The Hill

 

The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.