Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) is the 34th senator to support the Iran peace deal, meaning there is now enough support in the Senate to sustain a presidential veto of Republican disapproval.
From the Associated Press:
"No deal is perfect, especially one negotiated with the Iranian regime," Mikulski said in a statement. "I have concluded that this Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option available to block Iran from having a nuclear bomb. For these reasons, I will vote in favor of this deal."
Mikulski's backing gives supporters the margin they need to uphold an expected Obama veto of a congressional resolution of disapproval that Republicans hope to pass later this month.
This is much bigger than failure on the part of congressional Republicans who sought to whip support for a future war with Iran. This is a defeat for a wide range of lobbyists and neo-conservatives whose political viability will be severely diminished by peace with Iran.
The peace deal may be secure for now, but let's not forget virtually the entire Republican presidential field has vowed to shred the deal on their first day in office as president.
Doing so would mean unilaterally backing out of a major international peace agreement with our allies, not just Iran. That's what the Republican field has called for; to show how very serious they are. Neo-cons have been jonesing for a war with Iran since before President Obama even took office and they won't stop campaigning for it after today.
It's still possible a resolution of disapproval will not reach the president's desk if Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) can secure enough support for a successful filibuster.