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Introduced by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) - a powerful pro-Israel lobby group - the bill, also known as the "Iran War Resolution", would authorize tougher US sanctions, and a Naval Blockade of the oil-rich nation.

AIPAC has been credited for pushing the bill quietly and picking up endorsements quickly, by Washington insiders. It has now gained 208 co-sponsors in the House, and 29 in the Senate.

Antiwar.com reports that,

“According to the House leadership, this resolution is going to ‘pass like a hot knife through butter’ before the end of June on what is called suspension – meaning no amendments can be introduced during the 20-minute maximum debate. It also means it is assumed the bill will pass by a 2/3 majority and is non-controversial.”

A close look at the bill, which will likely be voted on next week, reveals the new tone of the Bush administrations rhetoric with the focus changed from, "Iran is building Nuclear weapons" to they seek the "capability to build them". Since the release of the National Intelligence Estimate, and IAEA reports that both indicated there is no evidence of an Iranian Nuclear weapons program, the neocons have altered the war-drum rhythm subtly, now saying the Iranians are seeking knowledge to build nukes.

Knowledge, of course, that is available to anyone with access to the internet or a library.