U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton is continuing his obstructionist ways, today by trying to add an anti-Iran measure to a routine spending measure.
Politico recounts the episode and a White House response blasting Cotton.
Cotton amended a bill on water and energy programs to block use of money to purchase heavy water produced in Iran. Cotton has, of course, long opposed the nuclear agreement with Iran. Democrats successfully filibustered the bill with the amendment.
“So that is an indication that there is not likely to be the necessary support in the United States Senate to add that amendment to, you know, this broader appropriations bill,” Earnest said. “We’ve made clear our commitment to a principle that ideologically motivated policy riders are not appropriate for appropriations bills.”
Earnest told the room of reporters that they have “written extensively” about Cotton’s continual effort to undermine the implementation of the Iran deal.
“So it is clear what the intent of his amendment is. Senator Cotton is certainly no expert when it comes to heavy water,” Earnest continued. “I’m confident that he couldn’t differentiate heavy water from sparkling water. His focus is on undermining the effective implementation of this agreement that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”
Cotton disputed the White House on Twitter.