Trump Meets Senate Republicans on Iran Deal and FISA Renewal

The long-scheduled lunch follows weeks of friction between the White House and Senate Republicans. Lawmakers have described a shift from earlier alignment to greater caution.

Senators have criticized an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions on Iran. " Senator John Cornyn of Texas said Iran could use financial relief to rebuild drone and missile stockpiles and to fund Hamas and Hezbollah. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas said he had hoped the administration would eliminate the threat from Iran.

702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act lapsed amid political deadlock. Trump has linked renewal of the authority to passage of the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said linking the two measures would "tank" the FISA effort because the votes are not there.

The House has passed the SAVE America Act, but the Senate has not reached the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Trump halted the confirmation process for Jay Clayton, his nominee for director of national intelligence, hours before a scheduled hearing.

Trump has urged Senate Republicans to abolish or weaken the filibuster. Thune said there are not enough votes to end the legislative filibuster. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has also said he would not vote to end it. Trump has called for the dismissal of Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled the SAVE America Act could not pass with a simple majority.

Thune has resisted that step. The meeting occurs as Republicans defend narrow congressional majorities ahead of November elections.