Members Push Tougher Line On Iran

The Hill

Key members of Congress are girding to take a tougher line on Iran by tightening sanctions and taking a high-profile stance against the Iranian government.

But despite President Bush's calls for democratic reform in the Middle East, the administration is urging Congress to hold off on legislation out of concern that it might disrupt sensitive negotiations about Iran's nuclear program.

The momentum for legislative action in Congress has reached such an extent that the administration has begun voicing its concerns to powerful committee chairmen.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) - who does not favor taking up Iran legislation right now - said he has been consulting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other members of the administration on the issue.

"They're not indicating that would be helpful right now," he said. "For the moment, we're trying to work through negotiations, not legislation."

But with passion on the issue running strong, it is uncertain if members will hold off for more than a few months. A bill by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) on Iran had attracted 263 co-sponsors before the recess - well beyond a majority of 218 needed to pass the House. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), a possible presidential candidate in 2008, has introduced a companion bill that is identical to the version by Ros-Lehtinen.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) recently signed on to the bill, which also has substantial Republican support - including Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.).

"I'm hopeful this is something the majority leader and others will see as consistent with what we're trying to do in spreading freedom and democracy," he said.