The U.S. Senate on April 28 turned back an attempt to elevate any nuclear deal with Iran into an official treaty that would require ratification by two-thirds of the Senate.
The rejection of the treaty amendment by 57 to 39 gives momentum to a more limited proposal to provide Congress with a 30-day period to review the nuclear deal under negotiation between Iran, the U.S. and European allies.
The White House insists any compact with Iran would be an executive agreement that does not require approval by Congress, though it has given tacit backing to the 30-day review measure sought by both Republicans and Democrats.
The defeated amendment to require Senate ratification was championed by hawkish Republicans and presidential hopefuls in the Senate. But just before the vote, Condoleezza Rice, who was Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, provided crucial support for the White House's position.