Report: Iran sanctions bill could get 77 votes in the Senate

The Washington Free Beacon reported on Friday afternoon that the Kirk-Menendez bill to conditionally impose additional sanctions on Iran, which the Obama administration opposes, could get as many as 77 votes in the Democrat-controlled Senate, a number which would make it veto-proof.

The Iran sanctions bill – which would level tougher sanctions on Tehran if it refuses to comply with the parameters of a recently signed nuclear accord— has garnered the support of 59 senators, including 43 Republicans and 16 Democrats.

A senior Senate aide additionally confirmed to the Free Beacon a CNN report that a veto-proof threshold of 77 senators now support the sanctions measure.

Senate sources said there are signs that at least 34 Democrats will vote in favor of the bill when it finally comes up for a vote.

Paul and Flake remain the only Republicans who have avoided taking a firm stand.

Breitbart.com reports that the key to Democratic support is none other than New York Senator Chuck Schumer. 

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bucking Barack Obama’s plans to table sanctions on Iran in the wake of the Geneva deal reached late last year. He is pushing fellow Democratic Senators to support sanctions on Iran.

Schumer has been rumored to be the leading candidate to replace Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) when he retires. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL), who wrote the new sanction bill with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), said, “He's an original cosponsor. I would say he probably has the greatest sway inside his conference.”

Hmmm.