WASHINGTON
At least 12 members of Congress are in support of the recently signed nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, the White House said Friday.
Seven of the supporters are from the House of Representatives and are in the Senate, according to spokesman Josh Earnest.
The lack of support for the deal by one leading Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer, was "disappointing,” Earnest said, but the move was not a surpise.
Even though Schumer was an influential lawmaker, he had only one vote, Earnest said, and stressed that the U.S. would be able to mobilize a substantial majority of Democrats in the support of the deal and would be able to sustain Barack Obama's presidential veto if necessary.
"Since the speech we've gotten substantially more votes in support of the deal, and I think that's an indication of how persuasive the president's speech was," he said, referring to a public address by Obama’s earlier this week wherein he made laid out his case for supporting the deal.
Earnest failed to provide Seve for how many congressman supported the deal before Obama’s talk.
The crucial 60-day review period for lawmakers began at the end of July.
Obama, who said he welcomed a “robust” debate about the agreement, has threatened to veto any legislation that undermines the accord. He needs the support of 34 of the 100 senators to maintain his veto and protect the deal.
Congress requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate to override a presidential veto.
Lawmakers have until Sept. 17 to endorse or reject the agreement signed last month between Tehran and the U.N. Security Council's five permanent members -- China, France, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S. -- plus Germany.
The agreement provides Tehran with sanctions relief in return for unprecedented curbs and inspections on its nuclear program.
