https://youtube.com/watch?v=g93vZxetx5A
Secretary of State John Kerry sparred angrily with Republican foreign relations chairman Bob Corker on Wednesday, with the Tennessee Republican refusing to allow Kerry to filibuster the committee over the letter sent by 47 Senate Republicans to the leader of Iran.
The Obama administration reacted furiously to the letter, which told the Iranian regime not to count on any nuclear agreement not agreed to my the United States Congress.
And during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Kerry spent five minutes excoriating the move. “This letter raises questions of judgment and policy,” he said, accusing the Republicans of being wrong on the law and reckless in their behavior.
“Mr. Secretary, I know that’s a well-written speech,” Corker said, “but you’ve been at this –”
“It’s not a speech! This is not a speech!” Kerry said. “This is a statement about the impact of this irresponsible letter. The letter does not have legal authority, and I think you have to ask what people are trying to accomplish.”
“But I’m asked by one senator the impact, and I’m laying out to the committee what the impact is,” he continued.
“Five minutes and 26 seconds later, you finished,” Corker said. “Let me just say, I didn’t sign the letter. I’m very disappointed, though, that you’ve gone back on your statement that any agreement must past muster with Congress. The way we pass muster here is we vote.”
Corker then gave Senator Corey Gardner (R., Colo.) the floor — but Kerry wasn’t done.
“But Senator — Mr. Chairman, let me just say,” Kerry continued. “You have the right to vote at any time. You can –”
Gardner cut Kerry off, causing the secretary to stare angrily at the senator.