(photo courtesy of Penn State)
From The Philadelphia Inquirer (philly.com):
WASHINGTON - Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey will support the international nuclear agreement with Iran, he said Tuesday, becoming the 32d Senate Democrat to announce plans to do so and moving the deal to within two votes of being able to withstand Congressional objections.
"This agreement will substantially constrain the Iranian nuclear program for its duration, and compared with all realistic alternatives, it is the best option available to us at this time," Casey wrote in a 17-page, more than 8,000 word analysis he shared with The Inquirer. He called it "one of the most difficult decisions of my public career."
In an interview in his Washington office he added, "I believe that this is better for our security and better for Israel's security, without a doubt, short term and long term."
http://www.philly.com/...
According to the article, Casey was considered a big swing vote, along with Senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Cory Booker of New Jersey. Only two more senators are now needed for the Iran agreement to survive. And Sen. Coons is scheduled to announce his vote at 2pm ET today (will update when it happens).
Another victory for Planet Earth!
Update 1:
Sen. Coons also supports the deal! From The Washington Post:
Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) have decided to support the Iran nuclear deal, putting President Obama on the brink of a major diplomatic breakthrough that will allow him to fully implement the controversial deal over the objections of the Republican-led Congress.
Coons's decision, coming in an exclusive interview with The Washington Post, delivered a powerful blow to opponents of the plan because the Delaware Democrat had previously voiced some of the deepest skepticism about the controversial deal. It came as Casey announced support for the deal and left Obama needing just one more vote in the Senate to claim victory.
Coons reached his decision after many weeks of deliberation that included long talks with top administration officials — including his political mentor, Vice President Biden — and an exchange of letters with President Obama that codified the assurances he received about the pact's implementation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
h/t MBishop1 and Trix
Update 2:
Rep. Elijah Cummings endorses the Deal. From The AP, via WaPo:
WASHINGTON — Maryland Congressman Elijah E. Cummings says he will support a proposed nuclear deal with Iran.
Cummings, a Democrat, said in a news release Tuesday that he believes rejecting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action would allow for continued progress toward an Iranian nuclear weapon.
Cummings says he will support the implementation of the deal when it is brought to a vote in the House.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
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