Jerry Nadler, Upper West Side Congressman, Will Support Iran Deal

Big Coin: Rep. Jerrold Nadler is pushing a plan that would allow President Obama to bypass Republicans in Congress on the debt ceiling by minting a $1 trillion coin. Image by getty images

Representative Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, said on Friday he would support the nuclear deal with Iran after President Barack Obama sent him a letter spelling out the merits of the agreement.

The deal has flaws but it “gives us the best chance of stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon,” Nadler said in a statement posted online.

The White House is seeking support from Democrats in Congress for the deal. Obama needs their backing if Republicans and some Democrats reject the agreement, which is expected.

The U.S.-led international agreement was reached in July and would put new limits on Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting crippling economic sanctions on Iran.

Nadler’s support is important in winning congressional approval because he represents the heavily Jewish Upper West Side neighborhood in Manhattan. American Jews are split on the deal with some agreeing with Israeli leaders who believe the deal does not do enough to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, who also represents New York and is a powerful voice among congressional Democrats, said earlier this month that he would oppose the deal.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO