Senate Resolution Ups Pressure on Iran’s Nuclear Threat

ABC News’ Sunlen Miller and Daniel Steinberger report:

Responding to the renewed threat of a nuclear Iran, a bipartisan group of senators today introduced a resolution that declares it “unacceptable” for Iran to obtain nuclear capability.

“This Congress needs to speak,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said at a press conference today. “This resolution, we hope, will get almost unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats.”

So far, 32 Senators have signed the resolution and the senators hope to add more support soon.

The resolution is not an authorization for the use of military force but emphasizes the need to keep all options on the table.

“It is a statement to Iran, the international community and President Obama that if Iran refuses to negotiate an end to their nuclear weapons program and President Obama, therefore, decides that a military strike against that program is necessary in the interest of our national security, then he can count on strong bipartisan support in Congress for that decision,” said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn.

The resolution states that containment is not good enough and should not be a “fall back” position.

“If it takes military, that needs to be an option on the table and we are absolutely committed on a bipartisan basis for addressing this national security threat to our country and our allies,” said Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.

The senators hope the resolution will add an extra sense of urgency to the administration’s handling of the issue. 

“This moment is the equivalent in historic and strategic importance as the Cuban missile crisis,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “It is unfolding more slowly, perhaps in greater complexity. But the sense of urgency is absolutely there.”