In Senate GOP's Iran Standoff, the Rebels Are Losing

A pair of rebellious foreign policy hawks is on one side, and the party establishment is on the other. In the battle for Senate GOP hearts and minds on a carefully crafted Iran review bill, the establishment appears to be winning.

Many Republicans are ready to rebuff freshman Sens. Tom Cotton and Marco Rubio, who have offered measures that could upturn a broadly popular Iran nuclear review bill. They say Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has no choice but to leave behind scores of other GOP amendments, which still frustrates many who wanted to add their voice to the process.

Most Republicans don't fault McConnell, who pledged to restore the Senate to regular order when he rose to power. And at least publicly, few are willing to tear into Cotton and Rubio, who pulled a procedural stunt last week by forcing a decision on potential poison pill amendments, including one that would certify Iran's recognition of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and another that would require Iran to divulge the history of its nuclear buildup.

Either McConnell can preserve a delicate bill that gives Congress a final say over any nuclear negotiation with Iran, or he can stike a deal to have votes on any number of amendments—including those by Rubio and Cotton, which Republicans and Democrats could say would sink the bill. McCain says he "spiritually" supports Rubio's amendment, but couldn't vote for it.

"We don't want the Democrats to walk," McCain said. "If the Democrats walk, then we're back at square one."

Ah. I see. When Juan McCainez stands up to Da GOP, he’s a “Maverick”. When GOPers stand up to Miotch McConnell, they’re “rebels”.

2 posted on 05/05/2015 6:59:12 AM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)

What, No Scottish agreement on crazy religious zealots who take joy in mass extinction of those they can't control?

Gee, I expected more creative excuses to void their spines?

3 posted on 05/05/2015 7:02:17 AM PDT by blackdog (There is no such thing as healing, only a balance between destructive and constructive forces.)

From what I can tell, it appears to be a race between Democrats and "moderate" Republicans to see which group can destroy this country the quickest. If I'm a conservative in D.C., I would point out loudly and often that there is nothing resembling conservatism taking place within Fedzilla at this time.

4 posted on 05/05/2015 7:12:31 AM PDT by Major Matt Mason ("Journalism is dead. All news is suspect." - Noamie)

Remember: “I will crush the Tea Party!” Remember: “Mississippi”

5 posted on 05/05/2015 7:41:10 AM PDT by jennings2004 ("What difference, at this point, does it make!"!)

Our bipartisan congress continues to embrace idiocy and irresponsibility.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.