Senate set to shelve Iran debate

Senate Democrats will not be granted a vote on an amendment that would require congressional approval for any military intervention in Iran, according to Sen. John Cornyn.

Cornyn’s remarks come amid a push from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to attach the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, a must-pass Pentagon policy bill that the Senate will take up this week. Democrats argue that the amendment is necessary to prevent the United States from getting into another costly war in the Middle East without congressional approval.

“I don’t think they’re going to get that vote, so they’re going to have to decide whether to block NDAA or let the bill go forward,” the Texas Republican said Monday.

Senate Democrats hinted last week that they’d consider using a vote on the amendment as leverage, amid escalating tensions with Tehran. Democrats could theoretically block the NDAA from moving forward given the Senate’s 60-vote threshold to end debate.

The amendment, from Democratic Sens. Tom Udall of New Mexico and Tim Kaine of Virginia, has support from Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah. It's the latest attempt to restrict President Donald Trump's executive authority when it comes to U.S. foreign policy.

Setting up an amendment vote typically requires consent from all 100 senators — an objection from a single senator could derail the process and there's pent-up demand from individual senators to have their amendments considered.

The Senate will vote on beginning debate on the defense bill Monday evening.

Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine