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Monday 17 August 2015 - 07:39

Obama can still implement Iran nuclear deal even if Congress rejects: Experts

Story Code : 480297
Obama delivers a speech at American University in Washington, DC August 5, 2015.
Obama delivers a speech at American University in Washington, DC August 5, 2015.
Obama does not need a congressional approval to give Iran the relief from economic sanctions that it would get under the nuclear agreement, the Associated Press reported on Sunday citing Robert Satloff, executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
 
"A resolution to disapprove the Iran agreement may have substantial political reverberations, but limited practical impact," Satloff said. "It would not override President Obama's authority to enter into the agreement."
 
Although Congress can repeal legislations that impose sanctions on Iran, Obama can suspend some of those economic penalties, said Mark Dubowitz, a leading proponent of sanctions against Iran who is with the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
 
"Obama can give most of the sanctions relief under the agreement through executive order," Dubowitz said.
 
The US president can also work with the Europeans on softening other embargoes.
 
Most Republicans oppose the nuclear agreement with Iran, but they need a two-thirds vote in both chambers of Congress to override a possible presidential veto.
 
Obama has pledged to veto such a resolution of disapproval and Democrats and Republicans have predicted that opponents of the Iran accord lack the votes to override a presidential veto.
 
More than half of the Democrats and Independents in the Senate are backing the deal. Only 34 Senate votes are needed to sustain a veto.
 
Throughout its history, the US Congress has completely rejected or demanded changes to over 200 international agreements and treaties, including 80 that were multilateral.
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