"Sanctions have had a real effect on the performance of our industries, mining manufacturing, we can't get spare parts, we can't get credit lines and we are blocked in regard to aid from the World Bank and IMF."

VOA: standard.2009.09.12

Since all 40 Republicans were on record as opposing the bill, the Democrats did not have a single vote to spare, needing every Democrat and Independent who normally votes with Democrats to cast their votes for it, or else have the vote dead before it ever reached the floor.

VOA: standard.2009.11.23