Administration officials testifying on Capitol Hill Tuesday were met with what The New York Times described as “a wall of skepticism” from lawmakers pushing for a greater role in negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1 global powers.
Lawmakers have for months backed increased economic sanctions on Tehran, and have this year attempted to push forward with legislation that would impose further sanctions on the Islamic republic should a deal not be reached.
Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that congressional action had the potential to “derail” talks with Tehran.
The Times reported a sort of bipartisan consensus among legislators that Congress should be allowed to vote on a final deal with the Islamic republic, and that “administration officials strongly hint[ed] that they have little intention of complying.”
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) noted later in the day at a House Foreign Affairs Committee briefing that the administration lacked the leverage to emerge from negotiations with an acceptable deal and encouraged the passing of sanctions that would go into effect in 2015. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) had earlier this week called for increased congressional oversight in nuclear negotiations:
“Later this afternoon I will demand answers from the Administration at a hearing with Undersecretary Wendy Sherman of the State Department and Undersecretary David Cohen from Treasury and we will also continue to press them on the need to finally, actively consult with Congress on the issues of sanctions relief, not merely providing it as a fait accompli as part of a potential long-term agreement.”
Talks between Iran and the P5+1 are set to resume in September.