Supporters just one vote shy of 34 Senate votes needed to keep Iran nuclear deal alive

WASHINGTON — Supporters are now just one vote shy of the 34 Senate votes needed to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive and hand a major foreign policy victory to President Barack Obama.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware became the 33rd senator to back the deal on Tuesday, September 1st.

Coons' announcement came minutes after Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania announced his support.

In comments at the University of Delaware, Coons says that despite the flaws of the deal, it is a better strategy for the United States to lead the global community in trying to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.

Thirty-four votes are needed to uphold an Obama veto of GOP legislation aimed at blocking the agreement, which will come to a vote later this month.