By Will Anderson and Abby Biesman News & Features Editors
Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin (D) discussed the U.S.-Iran Nuclear Deal in Hodson Hall on Tuesday. University President Ronald J. Daniels introduced the senator who then spoke for 90 minutes, stating his position and answering several questions.
JStreetU and former College Democrat President Ben Schwartz attended the event.
“I thought it was reallywell done and that everyone asked very good questions,” Schwartz said. “I am very glad that Senator Cardin chose to have a discussion with Johns Hopkins students. I think it says something really great about Hopkins.”
On Wednesday, Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) announced that she was in favor of the Iran deal, despite reservations about the reimplementation of sanctions not being swift enough.
Mikulski’s official approval gives the Obama administration the 34 minimum required votes in the Senate to guarantee the eventual passing of the Iran nuclear deal with an Obama veto. Mikulski released a statement detailing her reasoning.
"No deal is perfect, especially one negotiated with the Iranian regime,” it stated. “I have concluded that this [agreement] is the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb. For these reasons, I will vote in favor of this deal. However, Congress must also reaffirm our commitment to the safety and security of Israel."
The White House had previously been worried that enough Democrats would vote against the deal to block its implementation. However, only two Senate Democrats, Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Bob Menendez (N.J.), have come out against the deal. Both senators are supporters of American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group.
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