NEW YORK — (CNN) New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said Monday that he is “very seriously” studying the Iran nuclear deal brokered last month before deciding whether to endorse or oppose it.
“This is such an important decision that I will not let pressure, politics or party influence,” said Schumer, the No. 3 Senate Democrat, who is poised to take over as Senate Democratic leader in 2016 and is considered one of the most critical votes on the Iran deal.
The agreement is staunchly opposed by Republicans and may earn a nod of disapproval from some Democrats.
How Schumer votes could influence others in his party, and he is coming under intense lobbying from the Obama administration to support the deal and from outside groups to oppose it.
President Barack Obama has to have enough Democrats supporting the deal to prevent opponents from reaching a veto-proof majority in the Senate.
“This is one of the most important decisions that I’ll make,” Schumer said Monday at a press conference on gun control legislation, noting that he’s had over 20 briefings on the matter, including two classified briefings.
“I intend to continue that because this is such an important decision,” Schumer said, though he declined to name the parties to whom he’s spoken to about the deal. “I am studying it extremely carefully.”
The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2015 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. (Photo: CNN)
