Menendez with Netanyahu
Menendez with NetanyahuIsrael news photo: Flash 90

New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menendez said Sunday that he’s going ahead with the legislation he co-sponsored that would give Congress a full overview of the deal negotiated with Iran over its nuclear program.

“I’m not backing off,” Menendez told Fox News. “I honestly believe it’s a congressional duty to review any agreement that comes about.”

Menendez would not comment on whether fellow Democrats or White House officials are pressuring him to withdraw his sponsorship for the bill.

He argued that the Obama administration had more than two years to negotiate the Iran deal, so Congress should have 60 days to decide what it thinks of the final agreement.

On Tuesday, the Foreign Relations committee will debate amendments to the legislation, which Menendez co-sponsored with Foreign Relations committee chairman Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.

Menendez, who is a Cuban-American, told Fox News Obama's efforts to improve relations with Cuba “disastrous.” 

Menendez was the top Democrat on the committee until his indictment on federal corruption charges April 1. He said Sunday that he “absolutely” is not guilty of the charges. “We will have an opportunity in court to make all of the facts known … and be vindicated,” he said.