Mendez, other senate Democrats, to hold off on new Iran bill
Senator Robert Menendez, co-sponsor of legislation that would tighten sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, said on Tuesday he and other Democratic senators would not back passage of the bill until after March 24 and only if there is no framework agreement with Tehran.
President Barack Obama has said voting now for more sanctions, which are strongly supported by Republican lawmakers, could upset talks now under way with Iran. He has pledged to veto any bill imposing new sanctions during the talks.
At a Senate Banking Committee hearing Menendez said, "Many of my Democratic colleagues and I have sent a letter to the president telling him that we will not support passage of the Kirk-Menendez bill on the Senate floor until after March 24 and only if there is no political framework agreement."
