VOA慢速英语2015 美国参议院针对伊朗核活动采取相关法案

AS IT IS 2015-05-06 US Senate Considering Bill on Iran’s Nuclear Activities 美国参议院针对伊朗核活动采取相关法案

This week could decide what happens to a bipartisan bill in the United States Senate. If approved, the bill would give the U.S. Congress the right to examine and vote on any final nuclear agreement with Iran. Democratic and Republican senators have expressed support for the proposal.

The U.S. Senate can either vote on the bill as is or permit amendments¹, making additional demands on Iran. But changes would lead to a presidential veto and could stop the legislative² effort.

If approved, the bill would delay an easing of U.S. sanctions on Iran for 30 days. Congress would have 30 days to study a final nuclear agreement with Iran before the restrictions³ could be lifted. The bill has the support of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“These sanctions are a big reason why America was able to even bring Iran to the (negotiating) table in the first place. We should not be giving up that leverage⁴ now without the American people, through the members of Congress they elect, having a chance to weigh in.”

The Senate Majority leader belongs to the Republican Party. But some Republicans in the Senate are putting Mr. McConnell in a very difficult position. They are doing everything in their power to force votes on amendments on what critics say are side issues to the nuclear talks.

One of the amendments would require Iran to recognize the right of Israel to exist. Republican Senator Tom Cotton is not apologetic for supporting what have been called “poison pill” amendments.

“We need to vote. If you do not want to vote, you should not have come to the Senate. If you are in the Senate and you do not want to vote, you should leave. We are talking about a nuclear-armed Iran, the most dangerous threat to our national security.”

The bipartisan bill is the work of Republican Senator Bob Corker and Democratic Senator Ben Cardin. Senator Cardin has appealed for restraint.

“This is an extremely important issue. It has got to rise above our individual desires so that, collectively, we can achieve something for the American people.”

President Barack Obama says the United States should not miss the chance to limit Iran’s nuclear program in a way that can be confirmed. Josh Earnest is the president’s spokesman.

“We do not anticipate that these nuclear negotiations⁵ will resolve the long list of concerns that we have with Iranian behavior. We know that it would be even more difficult to resolve our concerns about Iran's nuclear, Iran’s destabilizing activities, if Iran had a nuclear weapon.”

Senator McConnell can either permit votes on amendments or move to end debate and bring the original bill up for a final vote. On this issue, the majority leader’s support for a full debate in the Senate is in conflict with his desire to see the measure signed into law.

Iran has been talking about its nuclear program with six other countries: the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. They have set June 30 as their date for reaching a final nuclear agreement.

Words in this Story

bipartisan –adj. involving members of two political parties

leverage – n. influence or power used to achieve a desired result

sanction(s) – n. a measure designed to force a country to obey international laws

restraint – n. a way to limit or control something

spokesman – n. someone speaking for someone or something else; a representative

1 amendments   

（法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案

参考例句：

• The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments. 委员会在起草修正案时没有充分征求他人的意见。
• Please propose amendments and addenda to the first draft of the document. 请对这个文件的初稿提出修改和补充意见。

2 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

3 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

4 leverage   

n.力量，影响；杠杆作用，杠杆的力量

参考例句：

• We'll have to use leverage to move this huge rock.我们不得不借助杠杆之力来移动这块巨石。
• He failed in the project because he could gain no leverage. 因为他没有影响力，他的计划失败了。

5 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。