The U.S. House of Representatives approved a resolution Thursday that would require President Donald Trump to get congressional approve before using the military to engage in hostilities with Iran. The vote was 224-194.
In an earlier statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had criticized the Trump administration for conducting the airstrike last week that killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani without consulting Congress.
She called the airstrike a “provocative and disproportionate” action that endangered U.S. troops and diplomats.
The resolution calls for the president to halt the use of U.S. forces against Iran unless Congress has declared war or given statutory approval, or unless such military action is necessary to defend against an imminent attack against the United States, its territories or armed forces.
“The administration must work with the Congress to advance an immediate, effective de-escalatory strategy that prevents further violence,” Pelosi said. “America and the world cannot afford war.”
White House spokeswoman Hogan Gidley called Thursday’s resolution “misguided” and “ridiculous.”
“This House resolution tries to undermine the ability of the U.S. armed forces to prevent terrorist activity by Iran and its proxies and attempts to hinder the president’s authority to protect America and our interests in the region from the continued threats.”
Although Thursday’s resolution is nonbinding, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said before the vote that it has “real teeth.”
“It is a statement of the Congress of the United States ... (it will) protect American lives and values,” Pelosi said.
With Democrats in control of the House, the measure was expected to easily pass, but its fate in the Republican-controlled Senate is less clear.
Topic: United States House Passes Resolution Limiting Military Action Against Iran (Read 12537 times)
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