Manchin close to Iran deal decision; White House claims it has votes to back veto

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin plans to make a decision on the proposed Iran nuclear deal “sooner rather than later,” possibly before the end of the week, following two final constituent meetings in Charleston and Kingwood.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)

“This decision I make could go either way. I can justify voting against it or voting for it,” Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Wednesday on MetroNews “Talkline.”

In exchange for relief from billions of dollars in economic sanctions, Iran has agreed to limit its nuclear program as part of a deal the U.S. and five other countries have signed.

Critics of the agreement, including many Congressional Republicans, have warned it won’t prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke in favor of the deal in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Earlier Wednesday, the Obama Administration indicated 34 U.S. Senators, with the addition of Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland), had pledged support for the proposed deal. That’s enough to block any override attempt when the president vetoes a Republican resolution, expected to pass next week, disapproving of the agreement.

“I have concluded that this Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb. For these reasons, I will vote in favor of this deal,” Mikulski said in a statement.

As of Wednesday morning, Manchin remained one of 11 undecided Senators.

“I’m in the middle,” Manchin said of his view. “I know in West Virginia the majority of West Virginians are opposed to the agreement. I know that, but then I ask the simple question: What is the alternative? What do you want me to do? What do you think we should do?”

Manchin also had concerns about whether all the nations involved were truly committed to responding “with a vengeance” if Iran is caught cheating with its nuclear program under the deal.

Other questions he had, “Are we doing things that basically enhance their ability to have a stronger economy to keep this type of regime in power? The other side of that story would be that, if more people have opportunities to prosperity and a better quality of life, would they allow this type of oppressive regime to continue?”

On Thursday, Manchin was scheduled to host a town hall meeting focused on the Iranian nuclear deal at 3 p.m. at the University of Charleston’s Riggleman Hall.

On Friday, he’ll be in Preston County for an 11 a.m. roundtable discussion with residents at the Kingwood Craig Civic Center, an event the Preston County News and Journal is hosting.

Members of the U.S Senate return to Washington, D.C., following the August recess next week.





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