Md. Senator Ben Cardin To Make Decision 'Shortly' About Iran Nuclear Deal

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland Senator Ben Cardin could be the deciding vote in a victory for President Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran.

Cardin is 1 of 11 undecided Senate Democrats, and as of Tuesday, the Obama administration only needs one more to assure the plan gets put into action.

Political reporter Pat Warren has Cardin's comments on the issue.

Senator Cardin says he will not allow his decision to be motivated by politics, and there are high risks on either side.

Marylanders have been watching both sides of the Iran nuclear debate play out in our living rooms for weeks.

Those who support it say it is best for the U.S. because it prevents Iran from producing a nuclear weapon.

Those who are against it warn of the risks that Iran will violate the agreement at the expense of American citizens.

"I will shortly make a decision," Senator Cardin said.

Maryland senators are being heavily lobbied by both sides of the debate. Cardin is the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and 1 of 11 undecided Senate Democrats.

His mission to find out how Marylanders feel about it took him to Johns Hopkins University Tuesday.

"I think it's a tough call. When people say, 'This is such an easy decision, why haven't you made it?' I don't think it is an easy judgement call. I think there are high risks either way, going forward or not going forward," Senator Cardin said.

But he says politics will not play a part in his vote.

"It's not going to be judged on my party. It's not going to be judged on loyalty to the president. It's going to be judged on what I think is in the best interest of the United States," he said.

And it's going to be soon. The vote is expected in about two weeks.

The 60-day period Congress gave itself to consider the agreement ends Thursday, September 17.

Two Senate Democrats announced Tuesday they will support the agreement.