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Can Congress Help Obama Get a Stronger Iran Deal?
(Christian Science Monitor) Francine Kiefer - Supporters of congressional review of any final deal with Iran believe that overwhelming support for the bill can help U.S. negotiators reach a better nuclear deal with Iran, particularly when it comes to verification and sanctions relief - two areas where Tehran and Washington disagree. "A united Congress with the White House...gives the administration a stronger hand on negotiations," said Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the lead Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Tehran says publicly it expects sanctions relief as soon as a deal is reached. The White House and Congress argue that Tehran needs to prove itself first. Strong resolve on the Iran bill now could give the White House leverage on this and another area of disagreement in the talks - a robust inspection and verification process, senators say. The U.S. insists that international inspectors be able to go wherever they have suspicions, but Iran says military bases are off limits. So-called "anytime, anywhere" inspection is the "linchpin" of any deal, said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) agrees. "From the left, center, and right in the Senate...it's the inspections regime as the guarantor of Iranian compliance that is probably the piece that is most important." The U.S. can argue, "Hey, I've got this tough Congress I need to convince," says Kaine.