Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz decided against supporting the Iran nuclear deal Monday as President Barack Obama seeks to get Democrats on board to back the agreement.
The Florida congresswoman told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that while there is some “merit” to the deal, there is also “a legitimate cause for concern” that needs to be looked at with the deal. Wasserman Schultz, who is Jewish, pointed out that she is from a “pro-Israel district” and needs to hear her constituents out before offering her support one way or another.
WOLF BLITZER: Are you going to vote for this Iran nuclear deal? You’re a member of the House.
DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: I’m in the middle of really reviewing it and looking at all the moving parts to the Iran deal. I’ve had many administration briefings. I’ve talked to experts on both sides of the deal and I’m going to go home and speak to my constituents who have been weighing in, and I’ll reach a conclusion on what I’m going to do with my vote once I feel like I’ve been able to thoroughly review the whole deal.
BLITZER: So the president and his supporters haven’t yet convinced you that it’s a good deal?
WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Well, I think there are — there’s merit to the deal. There’s a lot of merit to the deal, but there’s also a legitimate cause for concern and I think this is a decision that no member of Congress should make lightly. You know, I found it particularly outrageous that you had some Republicans clearly who had not read the deal, who had not thoroughly examined it, who came out in less than 24 hours from this being announced in opposition to it. That’s just not responsible, nor would it be responsible for me to come out in favor of it that quickly. I want to take my time. My constituents at home have very strong opinions. It’s a very well-educated, pro-Israel district and I have respect from them and their opinion and I want to seek it while also making sure I though fully understand all its implications, and as a pro-Israel legislator myself, it’s very, very important to get this right.