Senator Barbara Mikulski (D.,Md.) became the 34th vote in support of the Iran nuclear deal, ensuring the White House has all the votes it needs to prevent opposition from impeding the agreement.
Thirty-four was the number required to ensure the deal can advance despite bipartisan opposition in Congress, especially among Republicans, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Even if Congress passes a resolution disapproving the deal when it votes later this month, Obama is expected to veto said resolution. Furthermore, if Obama is able to obtain 41 votes, then he can block the resolution from passing at all, thus preventing him from needing to use veto pen, reported Yahoo! News. This means that seven of the 11 remaining undecided senators would need to decide in favor of the deal.
"Thirty-four votes are obviously enough votes for the president's veto to be upheld," Kerry told CNN. "That is not satisfactory for us. We do want to try to go further. We'll continue to persuade."
Nearly all Republicans have come out against the agreement, while only two Democratic senators - Chuck Schumer (D.,N.Y.) and Bob Menendez (D.,N.J.) - oppose it alongside them. All claim the deal sets up weak standards for international inspectors to monitor whether Iran is complying with the agreement and would also allow Iran to build nuclear weapons in a few years.
Votes are expected after lawmakers return from a summer recess next week but before Sept. 17, the statutory deadline for Congress to act on the deal. GOP leaders have failed to announce when those votes will take place.
While a major victory for Obama and his supporters, this means that he is now poised to implement a critical piece of American foreign policy without support from the majority of Congress, a move that is likely be cited depending on the results of this deal.
