U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said he was optimistic the Iran nuclear deal willl survive congressional review after meeting privately with Democrats in the House of Represenatives on July 15.
"I think we'll be all right," Biden said, despite opposition to the pact from most Republicans, who hold the majority in both houses.
The White House needs only one-third of the votes in Congress to sustain a veto promised by President Barack Obama, should Republicans send him a resolution disapproving the deal during a 60-day congressional review period.
That scenario seems increasingly likely, as Republicans are already campaigning against the deal, which was reached on July 14 by Iran and six world powers in Vienna.
Democrats warmed to the plan after Biden explained it and assured them that nothing in the pact would preclude the use of force if Tehran violated planned curbs on its nuclear activities.
"I am proud of the president on this issue...I lean to a 'yes' right now," Representative Bill Pascrell (Democrat-New Jersey) said afterward.
Biden is scheduled to meet with Senate Democrats on July 16.