This summer, Sen. Menendez supported the bill that would impose new sanctions on Iran, as well as imposing the current sanctions, set forth by the deal.

This is not the first time that Sen. Menendez has taken a stand against Obama’s administration. He has previously called it weak, referring to the handling of countries, such as Syria, Russia, and Cuba.

Sen. Menendez expressed his opinions to Fox News, stating that his party does not care for his foreign policy views. “This is about the fervent belief it’s in the national interest and security of the United States to have more sanctions,” he added.

Last year, his views have even earned him an investigation – he was accused of favoring a donor and a friend by voicing his allegations.

Sen. Menendez said that he is sticking by his views, no matter what the repercussions might be. “There have been attempts to punish me for what I’ve said about the administration’s policy on Iran and Cuba. I don’t intend to be intimidated by another branch of government.”

Since the new election, it appears that Sen. Menendez has become increasingly bold about voicing his views, criticizing the policies of Obama’s government.  He said he doesn’t plan to be intimidated by the new president. “I have always been willing and able to find ways to work with both Democratic and Republican administrations for the betterment of our nation,” Sen. Menendez said. “That will continue to be the case with our next president.”

And he is not alone in the fight – last year, the conservative Republican Sen. Ted Cruz supported Menendez’s foreign policy views. Sen. Cruz stated that Menendez’s views had encouraged Obama’s government to retaliate against him.

Sen. Cruz commented further: “The coincidence is troubling…that that very week [when Menendez opposed the Iran deal] is when the Justice Department announces they’re moving forward with criminal prosecutions.” Sen. Cruz went on to explain: “It raises a suggestion to other Democrats that if you dare part from the Obama White House, a criminal prosecution can be used potentially for political retribution.”

As well as opposing Sen. Menendez’s views, the Obama administration has also expressed negative views about the new measures that the Senate unanimously approved on Thursday. However, the administration said that the bill would be signed by President Obama. This means that Obama will be able to renew the sanctions against Iran that are already in place for another ten years. 

The officials from Iran have, of course, been incredibly angry in relation to the vote, and other measures, where trust has been breached about Iran’s plans for producing nuclear weapons and being a state supporter of terrorism.