Signatories include Hollywood producer Norman Lear. Iran Deal Donors tell Democrats they support the Iran deal More than 120 sign a letter supporting the deal, which is opposed by Israel and some pro-Israel groups.

More than 120 wealthy Democratic donors have written to the party’s leadership in Congress to express support for the Iran nuclear deal, the latest move in a fierce battle for votes on the historic agreement.

The letter, whose signatories include Hollywood producer Norman Lear, several retired ambassadors and members of the uber-wealthy Democracy Alliance donor network, warns lawmakers that scuttling the deal “would put us back on a path to a nuclear-armed Iran, another costly military campaign — or both.”


It implores members of Congress to give due weight to the many nonproliferation experts who support the deal as they consider whether to vote in its favor, according to a copy dated Monday that bears 121 signatures.

The Republican-led Congress has 60 days to review the internationally negotiated deal, which eases sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. Although the vote is likely to be against the deal, the White House believes it has enough support in the House and Senate to sustain a presidential veto.

Still, both sides are heavily courting a number of Democratic lawmakers, many of them with significant Jewish constituencies and donors, who have not said where they stand.

The letter was spearheaded by J Street, the left-leaning Jewish organization, and the Council for a Livable World, a group with a heavy focus on nuclear non-proliferation. It is addressed to eight members of the Democratic leadership in both the House and Senate, including Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, who is considered a critical vote and is under tremendous pressure by conservative pro-Israel organizations determined to kill the agreement.

According to J Street, the donors have given tens of thousands of dollars per election cycle to Democratic candidates in the past. At least two people who signed, Paul Egerman and Guy Saperstein, are members of the Democracy Alliance, a liberal network of donors akin to the Koch brothers network on the right.

Tarini Parti contributed to this report.