Debate on Iran sanctions reignites

Lawmakers are plunging into another fight over Iran sanctions with economic restrictions on the country set to expire at the end of the year.

Both parties acknowledge that there are enough votes in the House and Senate to renew the sanctions — but the agreement ends there.

Outraged by President Obama’s nuclear deal, Republicans are seeking to put new restrictions on Iran. And a few moderate Democrats appear willing to go along.

But the White House is in no mood to negotiate. It has said strengthening the sanctions law could be interpreted as going back on the nuclear deal, meaning the president would likely veto tougher legislation.

The multinational agreement, finalized last summer, lifted some financial sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits to its nuclear program.

In the Senate, where Sen. Bob CorkerRobert (Bob) Phillips CorkerGOP lawmaker patience runs thin with Trump tactics Former GOP senator: Republicans cannot let Trump's 'reckless' post-election claims stand Cornyn: Relationships with Trump like 'women who get married and think they're going to change their spouse' MORE (R-Tenn.) is pushing stronger sanctions as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, the debate has gridlocked.

“We’re unfortunately at an impasse,” said one senior Senate aide. “I don’t know what will advance.”

In the House, which has been more critical of the nuclear deal than the Senate has, GOP leaders are likely to muscle through a stronger sanctions bill.  

Both parties staked out their positions on Iran sanctions in July, shortly before leaving for their summer recess. 

Corker and four colleagues — including Democrats Bob MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezYear-end deal creates American Latino, women's history museums Lawmakers call for including creation of Latino, women's history museums in year-end spending deal Trump offered 0 million to terrorism victims to save Sudan-Israel deal  MORE (N.J.) and Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinRelief bill's passage sets off scramble to declare victory, assign blame Congress passes .3T coronavirus relief, government funding deal The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Mastercard - Congress slogs toward COVID-19 relief, omnibus deal MORE (W.Va.), who both opposed the nuclear deal — rolled out legislation that would renew the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) while also adding new sanctions. The additional penalties would target officials involved in Iran’s ballistic missile testing and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The bill would also penalize Tehran for aggressive activities in cyberspace and bar the White House from being able to waive those sanctions, among other things.

Two days after that bill was unveiled, Democrats led by Sens. Ben CardinBenjamin (Ben) Louis CardinSweeping COVID-19, spending deal hits speed bumps How Congress can kickstart COVID herd immunity Durbin to become top Democrat on Judiciary panel, keep No. 2 spot MORE (Md.), Charles SchumerChuck SchumerPelosi responds to Trump: Let's push for K checks 'this week' Slim majority of Democrats in new poll say Pelosi should retain Speakership Growing number of lawmakers decline early access to COVID-19 vaccine MORE (N.Y.) and Dick DurbinDick DurbinWarren and other senators seek investigation into Trump administration resuming federal executions Biden taps senior Hoyer staffer to join administration's communication team Lawmakers expect COVID-19 relief deal soon MORE (Ill.) released an alternative that would renew the sanctions law for 10 years without changes.

The law is especially important to Menendez, who was the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee before stepping down from the post following an indictment on corruption charges last April.

“Sen. Menendez has conducted numerous meetings with colleagues, consulting with them on the bill throughout the long, careful drafting process and incorporating provisions to address their concerns in this bipartisan proposal,” spokesman Juan Pachon said in a statement to The Hill. “That effort will continue with urgency when Congress returns to Washington for the short time remaining in the 2016 legislative calendar.”

So far, the talks about a bipartisan deal have been fruitless.

The sticking point has been a push from advocates of tougher sanctions to bar the White House from using national security waivers to ease sanctions in the future.

“Corker has drawn a line in the sand about waivers,” the senior aide said.

Corker, backed by other critics of the administration, said earlier this year that Obama was using national security waivers — which give him flexibility on enforcing sanctions —  “in a manner that Congress never intended.”

Opponents of barring the waivers say the move would tie the president’s hands and derail the implementation of the nuclear deal.

“It would essentially kill the deal in a way that America would be clearly to blame, which is really the worst of all moves,” said one lobbyist working on the issue.

Lawmakers looking to get tough on Iran have gained ammunition in recent months.

The administration recently acknowledged that a covert payment to Iran — millions of dollars shipped on wooden pallets — was held back until five American prisoners in Iran were released. Republicans have denounced the payment as a ransom.

Iran has test-fired two ballistic missiles in the months since the nuclear accord went into full effect while maintaining an aggressive posture toward Saudi Arabia and other regional rivals. And at least two other Iranian-Americans — Siamak Namazi and his elderly father, Baquer — remain imprisoned in the country under mysterious circumstances.

But despite those controversies, Corker’s bill has just five co-sponsors, and most Democrats are unwilling to back it. Unless that changes, the bill may be dead.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPelosi responds to Trump: Let's push for K checks 'this week' Trump attacks Thune: 'He will be primaried in 2022' Trump slams relief bill, calls on Congress to increase stimulus money MORE (R-Ky.) has previously said that he won’t allow legislation to come up for a vote unless it can muster the 67 votes to override an Obama veto. Spokespeople for the top Republican declined to offer additional comment.

Corker “will continue to build support” for the bill this fall, an aide said, without giving additional details.

The 10-year extension proposed by Democrats would likely pass the Senate, but it would be a tough vote for Republicans who have urged the president to take a harder line with Iran.

“I think McConnell thinks that would be a victory for Democrats or be perceived as a victory for Democrats,” said the senior Senate aide.

Though both supporters and opponents of the nuclear deal want to renew the sanctions, some pro-deal advocates argue that the extension could deepen Iran’s doubts about whether the U.S. will hold up its end of the bargain.  

“I think you will see deal-supporting Democrats vote for an extension of the ISA — even a 10-year extension — but make clear publicly that they want to work with the next administration that so long as Iran is in compliance, it gets the benefits,” said the lobbyist.

Groups that support the nuclear deal are backing another Democratic offering, proposed by Sens. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineRobert E. Lee statue removed from US Capitol Sen. Alexander plays Christmas carols in Senate office building Durbin to become top Democrat on Judiciary panel, keep No. 2 spot MORE (Va.) and Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyMehdi Hasan blasts tweet from Newsweek opinion editor: 'This is racism plain and simple' Trump says Morocco to resume diplomatic relations with Israel Durbin to become top Democrat on Judiciary panel, keep No. 2 spot MORE (Conn.), that would extend the sanctions until the president can guarantee that Iran’s nuclear material is only for peaceful purposes.

Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonFederal prosecutors mulled request for Giuliani electronic communications: report China knocks Trump over suggestion it was behind cyberattack The most turbulent election in a generation, and for all the furor nothing changed MORE, the Democratic nominee for president who selected Kaine as her running mate, last week put her support behind a “clean” reauthorization of current law, potentially making it more difficult for Democrats to join the Corker bill.

“Congress should put partisanship aside and send the president a clean ISA reauthorization bill for his signature,” Clinton spokesman Jesse Lehrich said.

The sanctions act doesn’t expire until the end of the year, so most observers don’t expect movement on legislation until after the November elections.

The White House has encouraged Capitol Hill to take its time with the bill, apparently in an attempt to push the fight back as far as possible.

“It is not necessary to extend the Iran Sanctions Act at this time, as it does not expire until December,” a senior administration official said. “Right now we are still focused on ensuring that Iran continues to fully implement its nuclear-related commitments” under the deal.

But Corker is under the gun. If Democrats regain the majority, the onetime candidate to be Republican presidential nominee Donald TrumpDonald TrumpGeorgia Senate candidate Ossoff backs Trump's call for K checks White House wishes Birx well after she announces retirement Pelosi responds to Trump: Let's push for K checks 'this week' MORE’s running mate would lose his chairmanship, making the Iran sanctions legislation his last major act with the gavel.