(JTA) – Rep. Adam Schiff, a key Democrat in the political battle over the Iran nuclear deal, is backing the agreement. Schiff, of California, outlined what he saw as the pluses of the sanctions relief for nuclear restrictions deal, including intrusive inspections and the ability to re-impose sanctions should Iran violate the deal, and its drawbacks, including limited access to military sites and aspects of the deal expiring after 15 years. “In the absence of a credible alternative, Congress should accept the deal and work with the Administration to strengthen its impact, while joining forces with our allies to better contain Iran’s conventional capabilities and nefarious conduct in the region and beyond,” he said. His opinion has weight: Schiff is the senior Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee. He was among some 10 of the 27 Jewish Democrats in Congress under the closest scrutiny in the battle over the deal waged between the Obama administration, which backs the deal, and Israel and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which oppose it.