US Congress votes for restricting Trumps powers on war with Iran

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WASHINGTON, Jan 10 (KUNA) — The US Congress has voted in favor of a resolution restricting President Donald Trump’s powers to engage in a war with Iran stipulating that he must get approval of the house in advance.
Up to 224 members of the Congress, including three members of the Republican Party supported the resolution. A total of 194 others, including eight Democrats, voted against it.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a statement shortly before the voting in the Democrats’ dominated House of Representatives, said the Congress members have serious, urgent concerns about the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy.
Pelosi stated, “The Administration must work with the Congress to advance an immediate, effective de-escalatory strategy which prevents further violence.

The House may also soon consider additional legislation on the floor to keep America safe.”
The resolution came against the backdrop of the recent killing of the top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in an American drone strike outside Baghdad airport. Iran retaliated by firing at least 12 missiles against military bases manned by US and Iraqi personnel in Iraq.

For her part, the Democratic legislator, Elissa Slotkin, said in a statement that the resolution she personally introduced was intended to make clear that, if the President “wants to take us to war, he must get authorization from Congress. This is simply what our Constitution requires.”
Meanwhile, Hogan Gidley, the White House deputy spokesperson, stated, “The president has the right and duty to protect this nation and our citizens from terrorism. That’s what he continues to do, and the world is safer for it.”

Gidley added, “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.

These Congressional actions are completely misguided. In fact, this ridiculous resolution is just another political move because, under well-established Supreme Court precedent, it’s non-binding and lacks the force of law.”

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