Dare I say it? Hooray for Congress!

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When it comes to Iran and its nuclear program, for many members of Congress, the mantra is the same: “A bad deal is worse than no deal.”

Throughout the negotiations, Congress attempted to ensure that the deal was a good one, but the Obama administration always strongly insisted that Congress had no power to approve or disapprove any deal the president made with Iran, and could only vote on lifting the sanctions it passed.

After weeks of political pressure, to the shock of many, the president changed his attitude.

Obama’s arrogant stance toward Congress on negotiations with Iran allowed for the emergence of a strong bipartisan council on Capitol Hill. Members of both parties were prepared to fight to make sure that not only their voices, but, more important, the voices of the American people, would be heard on any deal with Iran.

The political pressure applied by a united Congress brought a rare agreement between the president and the Republican-led body. In essence, the bill gives Congress at least 30 days to consider an agreement with Iran after it is signed, and before Obama can waive or suspend any congressionally mandated sanctions made against Iran. The bipartisan bill is expected to move quickly to the full Senate, after the Foreign Relations Committee voted 19-0 to approve the measure on April 14.

“While the administration was not particularly thrilled by the final result,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said, “it was the kind of compromise that the president would be willing to sign.” Thank you, Mr. President, for finally realizing the important of compromise.

Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) hailed the bipartisan vote as a huge victory for the American people, and said that the bill “will ensure the American people — through their elected officials — will have a voice on any final deal with Iran, if one is reached.”

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