Capito Glad Manchin is ‘Seeing the Light’ on Iran Deal

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is applauding U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on his decision to vote against the Iran nuclear deal.

“I’m glad that Senator Manchin is seeing the light here,” said Capito on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”

Manchin made the announcement Tuesday during a conference call with reporters.

Earlier this year, Manchin indicated he would lean in favor of the deal but he said Tuesday he ultimately could not separate Iran’s record of terrorism and a nuclear program.

Capito previously said she would also be voting against the deal.

“I think, obviously, $150 billion of a windfall of cash to a terrorist nation, which is going to happen because of the sanctions released. I think, to me, the probability that they’re going to use that money to form at more terror is absolutely impossible to deny,” said Capito. “I think we could have negotiated a better deal.”

The deal would lift economic sanctions on Iran while allowing for inspections and restrictions of Iran’s nuclear program. President Barack Obama has said the sanctions would somehow fall back into place with a “snap back” provision if Iran was in non-compliance.

Capito told Hoppy Kercheval on “Talkline,” that’s questionable.

“‘Once we find them cheating it’s going to snap back.’ Well, I would ask you and the listeners: ‘Has anybody ever seen anything move that fast in Washington D.C.?’ It’s impossible,” she said.

Capito said she voted to put further sanctions on Iran in an effort to “squeeze down further into the terrorist regime there” to make sure Iran cannot secure a nuclear weapon.

If the United States were to increase sanctions on Iran, Capito said the U.S. could still make a difference, even if other countries don’t increase theirs.

“I think the U.S. has to look at one thing first and that’s what’s in our best interest, what’s in the interest of our safety, what’s in the interest of Americans and, really, global security,” she said.

Congress is expected to have enough votes for a resolution to disapprove the deal and President Barack Obama has promised to veto the resolution. There are already enough votes in the Senate to override such a veto.

The deal was negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and representatives of Iran, Russia, China, Germany, France and Great Britain.