Schumer, Key U.S. Senator, Opposes Iran Nuclear Deal

Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, the most influential Jewish voice in the U.S. Congress, announced Thursday he will oppose the Iran nuclear deal, a blow to President Barack Obama.

"Advocates on both sides have strong cases for their point of view that cannot simply be dismissed," Schumer, the number three Democrat in the Senate, said in a statement.

"This has made evaluating the agreement a difficult and deliberate endeavor, and after deep study, careful thought and considerable soul-searching, I have decided I must oppose the agreement and will vote yes on a motion of disapproval."

The announcement is a serious blow to Obama, who is in the midst of an intense lobbying effort to get Congress to back his landmark agreement that would roll back Iran's nuclear program in exchange for an easing of crippling economic sanctions.

Congress is expected to pass a resolution opposing the deal in September.

Obama will veto that measure, but Congress could override such a veto -- and kill the Iran deal -- with a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is said to be assembling a team aimed at securing the necessary votes to uphold the veto.

But earlier this week House Democrat Steve Israel -- like Schumer a major Jewish voice in Congress -- came out opposed to the deal.

In his statement, Schumer insisted he would vote against the accord "not because I believe war is a viable or desirable option (but) because I believe Iran will not change" and continue to persue its "nefarious goals."

"Better to keep U.S. sanctions in place, strengthen them, enforce secondary sanctions on other nations, and pursue the hard-trodden path of diplomacy once more, difficult as it may be."