WASHINGTON — Two US senators seeking the Republican presidential nomination want to add controversial provisions to high-stakes legislation that Democrats warn could shutter talks over Iran's nuclear program.

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is the lone or co-sponsor of 13 — so far — amendments to legislation the Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved that would establish a framework under which Congress could evaluate any deal six world powers broker with Iran. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is the sponsor of one.

Both young freshmen GOP members have announced their bids to win their party's presidential nomination. And both want to leave their mark on the high-profile bill.

The legislation, negotiated and revised by Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Ranking Member Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., would set up a 30-day review period during which Congress would review any final Iran deal.

Cruz's amendment, offered with Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., would strip any mention of a specific time period for the congressional review.

Navy personnel salute Battle of Midway survivor, James Stofer, as he arrives in the Blue Angels Atrium at the National Naval Aviation Museum for the 74th Battle of Midway memorial commemoration ceremony Monday morning June 6, 2016.

Rubio, who unlike Cruz is a Foreign Relations Committee member, withdrew an amendment during the panel's markup that would have required Iran to formally recognize Israel's right to exist before Congress would bless any nuclear pact.

He warned committee members then that the full Senate should weigh in on the idea, and he has followed through by offering it on the floor.

"I think at some point when someone keeps saying they want to destroy you, you should take them seriously," Rubio said during the committee's April 14 markup of Iranian leaders' comments about Israel. "But this is an issue we're to talk about on the floor."

The wording of the Rubio's comments that day is notable because he did not warn his committee mates he would insist on a floor vote on the amendment, which some pundits say would kill the Iran talks.

Rubio is the co-sponsor of another, which would require the White House certify that Tehran has not conducted nor supported a terrorist attack on the United States or an American citizen.

He also is the sponsor or co-sponsor of other amendments that would alter the Obama administration's ability to lift sanctions currently in place on Tehran. One would prohibit any relief for sanctions targeted at Iran's alleged support for terrorist activity, ballistic missile work or human rights violations.

Other Rubio-backed or -sponsored amendments focus on prisoners being held in Iran, and giving Congress the ability to review any draft United Nations resolutions tied to an Iran nuclear deal.

The amendments became public hours after Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., took to the Senate floor to voice concerns that senators seeking the White House in 2016 would offer amendments reflecting other concerns about Iranian activities.

Navy personnel salute Battle of Midway survivor, James Stofer, as he arrives in the Blue Angels Atrium at the National Naval Aviation Museum for the 74th Battle of Midway memorial commemoration ceremony Monday morning June 6, 2016.

Because those issues are not being discussed at the "P5+1 Talks," Reid says adoption of such amendments could end the talks.

"Republicans running for president shouldn't use Iran legislation as a tool for their political ambitions," Reid said. "This is too important to play games."

Reid's comments add to those from other Senate Democrats, who for weeks have questioned whether some Republicans would rather scuttle the "P5+1 Talks" than reach any diplomatic agreement with Iran.

Republicans counter such claims by saying a "bad deal" that leaves open Tehran's path to an atomic arsenal would be worse than "no deal."

Email: jbennett@defensenews.com

Twitter: @bennettjohnt

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