Senate Republicans Won’t Back Iran Deal Without Details

Senate Republicans were noncommittal on backing President Donald Trump’s emerging deal with Iran, saying they are awaiting more information about the accord that is set to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend the ceasefire for 60 days.

The president was quick to tout the agreement on Sunday, with administration officials claiming it would force Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. However, details were scarce, with Vice President JD Vance saying in an interview with CNN that the preliminary deal is “a very general document” roughly a page and a half long.

The lack of specifics kept many lawmakers from weighing in on Monday.

“It’s hard to know based on the media descriptions and social media, so I think I’ll wait to see what it says,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told reporters. “It’d be good to see it, so we’d know what’s in it.”

Some Senate Republican defense hawks are already expressing concern about Iran’s truthworthiness and believe Congress needs to weigh in.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) told reporters that the law requires Congress to vote on any deal involving Iran’s nuclear program, adding that he’s doubtful Iran will agree to the terms being touted by the administration.

“If you can get what the president and vice president have outlined, that would be a deal we can all live with, that would be a good deal,” Graham said. “Count me skeptical that Iran will ever go there, but time will tell.”

Graham added that he would need Iran to be “out of the enrichment business” before he would vote for a final agreement, saying that step would differentiate the compromise from the Obama-era Iran deal.

“What I envision is no enrichment,” Graham said. “They destroy their enrichment facilities, and I don’t care if we say 15 years from now we can revisit it, but they need to be out of the enrichment business for 15 years.”

Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) told reporters on Monday that he would also like to see Congress vote on the deal.

“If it’s a good deal, we want to be able to resolve it,” Lankford said. “We’ve got to have a vote to solidify it long term.”

However, that feeling was not universal, with some Republicans indicating that a vote down the road is an open question.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri) noted that there is no requirement for a vote on any potential agreement, but a number of other members believe it would behoove leaders to hold a vote regardless.

“Yes, I think it should” be voted on, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), who considered himself “hopeful” but skeptical.

“I think the next 60 days … to negotiate the final document is going to be very important. It’s just very difficult, if not impossible, to trust the Iranian government. They lie.”

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) told reporters on Monday that he is concerned about the potential for the U.S. to allow Iran access to frozen money as part of the final deal.

“My expectation is there [are] no nuclear weapons, no ballistic missiles, [no support for] and no American money,” Scott said.

Some Senate Democrats have called for the White House to brief Congress on any final deal between the two countries. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement on Monday that “Trump must release the details publicly, brief Congress immediately, and end this war for good.”

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), who has sponsored several war powers resolutions to require congressional approval for further military action in Iran, told reporters he would also like to see Congress briefed on the deal, but added that he’s not expecting it from the Trump administration.

“They don’t consult us. We’re in a war we never should have been in because they wouldn’t consult Democrats or Republicans,” Kaine said.