Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Monday he has still not made a decision on whether to support the Iran nuclear deal, but he is studying the agreement “very seriously.”
“This is such an important decision that I will not let pressure, politics or party influence,” Schumer said at a press conference, according to CNN. “This is one of the most important decisions that I’ll make.”
Schumer, a staunch defender of U.S. support for Israel who is poised to take over as Senate Democratic leader in 2016, could influence how other Democrats on the fence would vote.
{mosads}The White House needs the support of at least 34 Democrats in the Senate to prevent Republicans in Congress from killing the deal.
“I have learned over the years that when you have a tough decision like this: Study it, come to what you believe is the right decision and go forward with it. And that’s what I intend to do,” he said.
The battle between the White House and opponents of the deal has been fierce, with both sides launching intense lobbying efforts.
A resolution of disapproval from Congress would prevent the deal from being implemented. The White House could veto that resolution, but Congress could override that veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses.
Eyes are particularly on Jewish Democratic members of Congress, who can influence other Democrats’ vote, and predict whether Republicans will be able to kill the deal when Congress votes on it in September.
Earlier on Monday, Jewish Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) declared his support for the deal, joining Rep. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.), the longest-serving Jewish member of Congress.
Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) also declared on Monday that 218 House Republicans have signed on to a resolution condemning the deal.
While Roskam is not Jewish, he is co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus.
Schumer said he’s had more than 20 briefings on the deal, including two classified ones. The White House, he said, was “making every effort to answer my questions.”
He declined to answer whether he has discussed the deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is among its fiercest critics.