For all the theatrics of 47 Senate Republicans addressing an open letter to the Iranian regime, there was never a chance it would have any effect on that country’s attitude toward negotiations with the United States over its nuclear capabilities.
The letter — signed by Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner — had no prospect of blowing up the talks, in other words. What it did risk, and what similarly misguided initiatives in the near future would almost surely do, is undermine a bipartisan assessment of the deal.
To be clear, we’re not suggesting members of Congress have an obligation to refrain from criticizing an administration’s dealings with a foreign nation, even an enemy. Those who have claimed as much in recent days are stunningly ignorant of American history and traditions.
Nor, even more outlandishly, are we implying the open letter was seditious or treasonous, as some have said. Rep. Jared Polis, a Boulder Democrat, gave unfortunate credence to this view with tweets referring to Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas as “Tehran Tom” — a label evoking nicknames like Tokyo Rose and Hanoi Jane, both of whom actually rooted for the other side during a war. Cotton has done nothing remotely like that.
But there is a place where bipartisanship is still possible, namely congressional assessment of the deal. You might not know it from recent reports, but some Democrats are also wary of the possible details of a deal with Iran. And a number would like to assert a role, however modest, for Congress.
For example, Colorado’s Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet has signed onto the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, which would require the president to submit a final agreement to Congress for a 60-day review. However, to the extent Republicans continue to orchestrate flamboyant attacks on the president before the deal is even finalized, Democrats will find it that much more difficult to join in a demonstration of congressional muscle — even if they conclude it’s warranted.
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