I knew Tennessee U.S. Sen. Bob Corker when he was Chattanooga's mayor, and I served with Bob Menendez after he was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2006.
Today, Sen. Corker serves as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and he, along with Sen. Menendez, ranking member of the committee, have co-authored S.2650 -- a bill that provides "... for congressional review of agreements relating to Iran's nuclear program, and for other purposes."
Recently, Sen. Corker had this to say about his legislation: "The bill is crafted in such a way to be judicious and to cause the Senate and House to appropriately weigh in on a very important issue. It's not crafted in any way as a 'gotcha' bill."
Norm ColemanIn a day and age of hyperpartisanship, it is comforting to see the leadership of Corker and Menendez responsibly shepherd a bill through the process without a lot of teeth grinding. Which, at this stage of negotiations between the president and Iran, is essential and necessary.
Neither Corker nor Menendez is known to be a partisan firebomber when it comes to foreign policy. Both men are serious, judicious and conscious of their obligations to serve as the leaders of the U.S. Senate in providing appropriate legislative branch counterbalance to the executive branch. That's an important word -- counterbalance.
Because, that is the issue here when it comes to the matter of Iran and any agreement that the president intends to implement with respect to Iran's nuclear program, and most specifically, its obvious interest in developing nuclear weapons. There is no disputing the president's role in negotiating treaties on behalf of the nation. Candidly, it is essential for the executive branch to be able to do so without restraint. Yet, without restraint does not constituent without advise and consent.
Corker and Menendez have not demanded passage of their bill immediately. According to The Hill, "Corker said he is planning to schedule a vote on the bill in the committee either Wednesday or Thursday -- days after a self-imposed March 24 deadline for international negotiators to reach a framework agreement with Iran to roll back its nuclear program." The White House, however, according to the same article, "... opposes any legislation passed before June 30 and earlier this week reissued a veto threat on the Corker-Menendez bill, which would delay the deal's implementation for 60 days to allow Congress to approve it."
Whether Corker and Menendez have the necessary votes to override a threatened veto is not of particular concern at the moment to Corker, who believes their legislation has strong support.
The fact that the White House is desperately lobbying to stop the Senate from voting on the bill next week underscores the concerns that many in Congress have had about this administration's understanding, or acknowledgement, of the appropriate role of each branch of government.
Corker has shown throughout his career a sober-minded, determined and responsible bipartisan approach to leadership and governance. Menendez, despite questionable actions by the Justice Department to impede his work by publicly disclosing they might bring charges against him, has resisted the temptation to create further conflict with the White House.
Both men deserve to have their concerns, and their bill, heard and voted upon. The American public should demand that this bill be heard and voted upon.
Above all else, the Constitution of the United States of America demands that this bill be heard, and voted upon.
Norm Coleman is a former U.S. senator from Minnesota. He currently serves as a board member of the American Security Initiative.