US House Passes Measures Seeking To Pull ‘War Powers’ Back From Trump

By Staff, Agencies

The US House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation aiming to contain US President Donald Trump’s ‘war powers.’

In a 228 to 175 vote on Thursday, the Democratic-led House voted to pass one measure that would forbid military action against Iran unless approved by Congress.

While four of Trump’s fellow Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the bill, three Democrats sided with most Republicans in voting no.

In addition, the House voted - 236 to 166 - to repeal the 2002 Authorization for the use of Military Force for the war in Iraq, which US presidents have long used to justify several military actions, with 11 Republican lawmakers voting yes and two Democrats voting no.

“The Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to declare war. And with President Trump taking steps toward dangerous conflict with Iran - without any consultation with Congress - we need to reassert the responsibility given to us,” said Democratic Representative Eliot Engel, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

There is uncertainty, however, as to what might happen to the legislation in the Republican-led Senate, where a similar effort to pass an Iran-related war powers resolution has been stalled during Trump’s impeachment trial.