WASHINGTON — A key Democratic senator, Ben Cardin of Maryland, announced opposition to the Iran nuclear deal Friday, in a blow to the White House and a boost to opponents.
“This is a close call, but after a lengthy review, I will vote to disapprove the deal,” Cardin wrote in an opinion piece in the Washington Post. The agreement “legitimizes Iran’s nuclear program. After 10 to 15 years, it would leave Iran with the option to produce enough enriched fuel for a nuclear weapon in a short time,” he wrote.
Cardin is a crucial vote because is the top-ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee and the author of legislation providing for congressional review of the deal that aims to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from international economic sanctions. As a leading Jewish Democrat, he was under strong pressure from segments of the Jewish community to oppose the deal, which is ardently opposed by Israel.
Cardin’s announcement came moments after Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet announced that he would back the deal. Bennet, who is up for re-election next year in a battleground state, told The Denver Post the agreement is flawed but represents an important step toward the objectives of preventing Iran from attaining a nuclear weapon and avoiding war in the Middle East.
