WASHINGTON — A Senate panel has approved a bill that would levy new sanctions on Iran if it doesn’t reach an international agreement that would prevent Tehran from being able to develop a nuclear weapon.
The bipartisan vote on Thursday was 18-4. The bill, though, is not headed for a full Senate vote anytime soon.
On Tuesday, Sen. Bob Menendez, a leading proponent of the legislation, and nine other Democrats told President Barack Obama that they won’t push the bill at least until the end of March.
Talks with Tehran have been extended until July, with the goal of reaching a framework for a deal by the end of March.
Republicans can still move ahead, but that’s not likely without Democratic support. They wouldn’t have enough votes to override an Obama veto.
