Sen. Chuck Schumer
Sen. Chuck SchumerReuters

US Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced on Thursday that he is adding his name to the list of co-sponsors of legislation that would require a congressional review of any deal the Obama administration and other western powers strike with Iran on its nuclear program.

The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, sponsored by US Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), would mandate that the president submit to Congress the text of any pact with Iran, and bar the administration from suspending congressional sanctions on Iran for 60 days.

Schumer had already publicly supported the Corker-Menendez oversight bill before officially announcing his co-sponsorship.

“We must do everything to prevent a nuclear Iran and so any potential agreement must prevent Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon,” Schumer said in a statement. “Congress played a lead role in crafting the tough-and-effective sanctions regime that brought Iran to the table, and Congress should have a role on how those sanctions are altered in any final agreement with Iran."

"That’s why I strongly support this legislation, which will give Congress the ability to weigh in on any potential Iran deal. This issue is far too important - for the United States, for Israel, for the entire Middle East - for Congress not to have any ability to review a nuclear deal with Iran," he added.

According to the bill, after the 60-day Congressional review period, the president would be required to assess Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal every 90 days. With the addition of Schumer, the bipartisan list of co-sponsors has reached 20.