Moriarty said US Senator Chuck Schumer’s recent announcement that he would join President Barack Obama’s rivals to oppose the nuclear agreement shows that he is a “radical Zionist” and a misguided “flag waver” on opposition towards Iran.

Schumer, an influential Jewish Democrat representing New York State and widely expected to assume leadership of his party in the Senate, announced on Thursday that he will vote against the nuclear agreement with Iran.

Moriarty dismissed Schumer’s decision to break with the White House on Iran agreement as a “show” to attract funding from conservative groups. “Follow the money and you’ll see what is happening.”

Moments after the announcement by Schumer, Representative Eliot Engel, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also declared that he would vote against the deal.

The announcements by Schumer and Engel were a blow to Obama, who is striving to save the Iran nuclear agreement in Congress, which is likely to pass a resolution opposing the measure.

However, Moriarty said the UN Security Council’s unanimous decision last month to endorse the nuclear deal would make congressional rejection of the accord ineffective.

Under legislation Obama signed in May, Congress has until September 17 to review and vote to either approve or disapprove of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action announced by Iran and the P5+1 group of countries on July 14.