Rep. Chaka Fattah backs Iran deal

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Chaka Fattah will support the international nuclear agreement with Iran, he said in an interview Tuesday, adding to the regional backing for the pact.

"This is a position that is not only in the interest of the United States and the region, but also of our important ally, Israel," the Philadelphia Democrat said.

While most Democrats have rallied behind the deal, which has emerged as one of President Obama's top priorities, the agreement has divided Democrats from the Philadelphia region.

Philadelphia Rep. Brendan Boyle, South Jersey Rep. Donald Norcross and New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez are among the handful of Democrats who have come out against the agreement. On the other side, Sens. Bob Casey (D., Pa.), Cory Booker (D., N.J.), Chris Coons (D., Del.) and Tom Carper (D., Del.) have all endorsed the deal.

The support in the senate - which reached 41 senators Tuesday morning - is enough to ensure that the deal survives objections from Congressional Republicans and some Democrats. That chamber is where most of the focus has been, though the House will also debate a resolution to kill the agreement this week. (Both chambers plan votes on resolutions to disapprove the deal, which is not technically a treaty).

Fattah will be among those voting against the resolution and, if needed, supporting Obama's promised veto to stop the resolution.

Fattah, in announcing his decision, cited his frequent trips to Israel, where he visits often to support neuroscience initiatives.

"At the end of the day, you have to say, 'it's this agreement, or what is the alternative?'"

Every Republican from the Philadelphia region -- and likely all of Congress -- is expected to vote against the deal.

This post has been updated from its original version.

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