The Republican leader of the U.S. Senate has put off a vote on a bill that would require any deal on Iran's nuclear program to be submitted to Congress for consideration.
Mitch McConnell’s spokesman said on March 5 that the majority leader no longer planned to put the bill up for a test vote next week.
Senator Harry Reid, the leader of the minority Democrats, welcomed McConnell's decision, saying, "Protecting Israel and the world from a nuclear-armed Iran is too important of an issue to use in partisan political games."
Many Democrats back the legislation, known as the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, but also want time to bolster bipartisan support for the measure.
The White House has pleaded with Congress to hold off on action while talks between Iran and six world powers are ongoing.
The United States and five other powers are seeking a deal that would restrict Iran's nuclear program, aiming to ensure Tehran cannot develop nuclear weapons, in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.
The six powers and Iran have set an end-of-March target for a framework agreement and a June 30 deadline for a full deal.