The White House says it’s encouraged that more than a third of the Senate has announced support for the nuclear deal with Iran.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the senators’ support is validation of the Obama administration’s outreach campaign to ensure they understand what’s in the deal. Earnest says every vote is important because the stakes are so high.

He says the administration will continue making top officials available to brief undecided lawmakers on the deal.

Maryland Democrat Barbara Mikulski became the 34th senator to back the agreement when she announced her support Wednesday.

(AP)