WILL CONGRESS ACT? – AT 8:17 A.M. ET:  The key question in Washington is whether the House and Senate will pass legislation giving Congress a clear say in the Iran nuclear deal...and with enough votes to override a presidential veto.  From Reuters: 

WASHINGTON - A Democratic US senator on Wednesday offered an amendment to an Iran nuclear bill that would remove the measure's tie to Iranian-sponsored terrorism, a change that could attract more support for the legislation from his party.

Despite President Barack Obama's threat to veto the bill due to concerns it would undermine final talks with Iran, many Democrats are lining up with Republicans to pass the legislation giving Congress a say in any final pact.

Senator Chris Coons plans to have his amendment called up for debate on Tuesday, when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set to work on the bipartisan legislation.

Negotiations are to conclude by the end of June following last week's announcement of a "framework" deal for Iran to curb its nuclear program in return for an easing of economic sanctions on Tehran. It was not yet clear how much support Coons' amendment will receive in the Republican-controlled Foreign Relations Committee.

COMMENT:  The White House is putting major heat on Democratic senators to abandon this bill, or, if they participate in passing it, to refuse to vote to override a presidential veto.  Some outside interest groups are even threatening Chuck Schumer of New York, who favors the bill, that they will move to deny him the Senate minority leadership if he continues on his course.

If Obama were smart, which he's not, he'd withdraw his veto threat and pledge to work with Congress, rather than defy it.  If he were smart, which he's not, he would have done this originally.  He probably would have picked up enough support in both parties to help him with his talks with Iran.  But maybe he feared sharing space on Mount Rushmore with some senators.

April 9,  2015