Senate takes up bill on congressional approval of Iran deal


              U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Monday, April 27, 2015, in New York. Kerry and Zarif are both in New York to attend a United Nations conference on nuclear non-proliferation. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Monday, April 27, 2015, in New York. Kerry and Zarif are both in New York to attend a United Nations conference on nuclear non-proliferation. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, Pool)

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate is beginning debate over legislation empowering Congress to review and possibly reject any nuclear pact the Obama administration develops with Iran.

The bill approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has gained the tacit approval of Obama, and proponents are trying to discourage any changes. They recognize that politically driven amendments could undermine Democratic support and sink the carefully crafted measure.

The legislation would block Obama from waiving congressional sanctions for at least 30 days while lawmakers weigh in. And it would stipulate that if senators disapprove the deal, Obama would lose authority to waive certain economic penalties - an event that would certainly prompt a presidential veto.

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