Josh Earnest used Iran salesman.
Via The Hill
The White House on Tuesday expressed confidence it could win over enough Democrats in Congress to stymie a legislative push to allow members to approve any nuclear deal with Iran.
Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), who will likely become the next Senate Democratic leader, dealt a blow to the White House on Monday when he reiterated support for congressional review of an Iran deal.
The White House believes Congress should not have the final say on an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program. Officials are making a full-court press to convince Democrats to give negotiators at least until the June 30 deadline to reach a final agreement before weighing in.
“The sales pitch has only just begun,” press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Tuesday.
Earnest said the administration has offered classified briefings for lawmakers on national security committees to sell them on the merits of the agreements.
“We want to make sure that members of Congress understand what’s in the deal,” he said.
But Schumer’s support for a congressional review bill could give more Democrats in the Senate cover to back a bipartisan bill authored by Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), which would give lawmakers 60 days to review a nuclear deal before any congressional sanctions on Iran are lifted.