The Senate on Thursday voted unanimously to send a long-term extension of the Iran Sanctions Act to the president’s desk.
The legislation, which cleared the Senate in a 99-0 vote, would renew financial sanctions, first imposed on Iran in 1996, for 10 years. The House passed the bill 419-1 last month.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest wouldn’t guarantee that President Barack Obama would sign the legislation into law. He noted that the administration has already imposed financial sanctions unilaterally against Iran.
“We’ll take a look at what bill is passed and determine whether or not the president will sign it,” Earnest said. “But for those in Congress who are interested in making sure the administration has sufficient authority, I can confirm that we do, and I can confirm that we have not been shy about using it.”
If Obama were to veto the legislation, the vote tallies in each chamber suggest there’s enough support to override a veto before sanctions expire on Dec. 31.
