Report: Wasserman Schultz Stopped DNC Resolution Backing Iran Deal

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz blocked a resolution during the party's summer meeting that would have backed President Barack Obama's Iran nuclear deal, The Washington Post reports.

Citing "knowledgable Democrats," the Post said Wasserman Schultz stopped consideration of the resolution that backed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and praised Obama at the party's summer meeting last week in Minneapolis.

A party spokeswoman told the newspaper that the resolution failed because of procedural issues.

"She did not directly address Wasserman Schultz’s role in the decision-making," the Post reported, adding that other Democrats said Wasserman Schultz's opposition was the reason for the resolution's failure.

Wasserman Schultz is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing a heavily Jewish district in Florida. Some critics on the committee blamed her opposition for her dual allegiances of party chair and representing her district.

But the Post noted that taking up the debate just when the party is trying to get members of the party on board in Congress could have hurt the efforts on Capitol Hill.

"We recognize that there are some who in good faith have expressed reservations with elements of the JCPOA but we believe that you and key members of your administration have effectively and respectfully responded to these concerns," the resolution read. "We, therefore, join you [President Obama] in supporting the JCPOA as the best way forward to secure our nation, our allies, and world peace."

After the letter failed, James Zogby, who co-chairs the Resolutions Committee, headed up an effort to draft a letter of support to Obamba that most members of the committee signed.

"We wanted to show support for the president," Zogby told the Post. "We found that the best way to show support was a letter that members would sign on to, and the overwhelming majority of DNC members signed onto the letter. This is the President Obama we elected in 2008 who said, 'I choose diplomacy over conflict,' and he did it."

The Times of Israel http://www.timesofisrael.com/wasserman-schultz-reportedly-nixed-dems-vote-on-backing-iran-deal/ reported on Sunday that six Jewish Democratic members of the House sent a letter of support to their fellow members. The letter points to a New York Times ad on Thursday were 11 former Jewish members backed the deal.

"During our many collective years in Congress we unwaveringly supported Israel, led or co-sponsored every major piece of legislation to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and stood at the forefront of every major piece of sanction law designed to halt Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons," the ad read.

It was signed by former Sen. Carl Levin and former Reps. Barney Frank, Mel Levine, Steve Rothman and Robert Wexler.

Congress must vote on the deal by Sept. 17, and while Republicans, who hold majorities in both chambers, overwhelmingly oppose it, they do not have enough votes to override a certain veto by Obama. Some prominent Democrats, including Sens. Chuck Schumer and Bob Menendex have opposed the deal, but not enough yet to override.

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