26 Democratic senators now support Iran deal

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran is picking up crucial support from swing-state Senate Democrats despite Republican opposition heightened by revelations of a secret side-agreement between Iran and the U.N. agency that inspects nuclear facilities.

On Thursday, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, became the latest to declare her backing, saying in a statement, "This deal isn't perfect and no one trusts Iran, but it has become clear to me that the world is united behind this agreement with the exception of the government of Israel."

Their support brings to 26 the number of Senate Democrats who've come out in favor of the agreement aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear program in exchange for billions in sanctions relief. Supporters now include 10 of the 12 members on the Democratic side of the Senate Armed Services Committee.McCaskill's announcement followed a similar declaration a day earlier from Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., who said, "I am willing to give this agreement the opportunity to succeed."

With majority Republicans unanimously opposed, Obama needs 34 Senate Democrats to sustain his veto of a resolution disapproving the deal. The disapproval measure may pass next month. With only two Senate Democrats opposed so far that number is increasingly looking within reach, and supporters could even potentially secure the 41 votes that would block the resolution from passing in the first place.

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http://www.cbsnews.com/news/26-democratic-senators-now-support-iran-deal/