Iran Deal Gets Support of House Israel Backer, Sander Levin
Source: NY Times
WASHINGTON Representative Sander M. Levin, Democrat of Michigan and the longest-serving Jewish member now in Congress, said Tuesday he would support the Iran nuclear accord, lending a hefty voice of approval in a chamber deeply skeptical of the deal.
Israels security has and always will be of critical importance to me and our country, said Mr. Levin in a lengthy statement explaining his decision. I believe that Israel, the region, and the world are far more secure if Iran does not move toward possession of a nuclear weapon. I believe the agreement is the best way to achieve that. In my view, the only anchors in public life are to dig deeply into the facts and consult.
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While the Obama administration lobbies Congress, opponents have geared up in equal measure, and are fully expected to bombard radio stations and other media with an August recess campaign designed to pressure Democrats.
Israels ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, met with the most conservative House Republicans last week to urge them to leave everything on the field to derail the accord. On Tuesday, Secretary of State John Kerry once again made his pitch to skeptical lawmakers that the recently negotiated accord was the only chance to curb Irans nuclear ambitions, and that failure to enact the agreement would isolate the United States internationally.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/29/us/representative-sander-levin-backs-iran-nuclear-deal.html?_r=0
Big win for the White House. Looks like the deal will be okay in the House, despite universal opposition from Republicans and there allies du jour such as Engel.