This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51053200
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US House to vote on limiting Trump war powers against Iran | US House to vote on limiting Trump war powers against Iran |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US House of Representatives is set to vote on a resolution that aims to limit President Donald Trump's ability to make war on Iran. | The US House of Representatives is set to vote on a resolution that aims to limit President Donald Trump's ability to make war on Iran. |
| The largely symbolic measure seeks to mandate congressional approval for any conflict with Iran, except in cases of an imminent attack against the US. | The largely symbolic measure seeks to mandate congressional approval for any conflict with Iran, except in cases of an imminent attack against the US. |
| It is expected to pass the Democratic-held House, but faces tougher prospects in the Republican-controlled Senate. | It is expected to pass the Democratic-held House, but faces tougher prospects in the Republican-controlled Senate. |
| Neither the US nor Iran have declared plans for further military action. | Neither the US nor Iran have declared plans for further military action. |
| Iran this week fired missiles at Iraqi bases housing American forces, injuring no-one, after the US last week killed a senior Iranian commander in a Baghdad drone strike. | Iran this week fired missiles at Iraqi bases housing American forces, injuring no-one, after the US last week killed a senior Iranian commander in a Baghdad drone strike. |
| Thursday's measure directs the president to "terminate the use of United States Armed Forces" against Iran unless granted congressional authorisation. | Thursday's measure directs the president to "terminate the use of United States Armed Forces" against Iran unless granted congressional authorisation. |
| It offers an exception when necessary to "defend against an imminent armed attack". | It offers an exception when necessary to "defend against an imminent armed attack". |
| Even if the measure clears Congress, it would not reach the president's desk for a potential veto because it is known as a concurrent resolution, which lacks the force of law. | |
| The measure cites the 1973 War Powers Act, which granted Congress the ability to check the president's power to commit the US to armed conflict. | The measure cites the 1973 War Powers Act, which granted Congress the ability to check the president's power to commit the US to armed conflict. |
| But legal questions remain unresolved as to whether Congress can use a concurrent resolution to bind the president. | |
| House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday she did not believe Mr Trump had made the US safer after last week's drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday she did not believe Mr Trump had made the US safer after last week's drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. |
| Mr Trump, a Republican, meanwhile tweeted that he hoped "all House Republicans will vote against Crazy Nancy Pelosi's War Powers Resolution". | Mr Trump, a Republican, meanwhile tweeted that he hoped "all House Republicans will vote against Crazy Nancy Pelosi's War Powers Resolution". |
| He also made a new claim about the intelligence behind the air raid, telling reporters at the White House the Iranians were "looking to blow up our embassy" in Iraq. | |
| The war powers resolution gathered momentum after a congressional briefing on Wednesday by administration officials seeking to justify the attack. | The war powers resolution gathered momentum after a congressional briefing on Wednesday by administration officials seeking to justify the attack. |
| Following the briefing by the secretary of state, defence secretary and CIA director, two Republicans senators broke ranks. | Following the briefing by the secretary of state, defence secretary and CIA director, two Republicans senators broke ranks. |
| Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky said they might back a similar resolution in the Senate seeking to limit the president's war powers. | Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky said they might back a similar resolution in the Senate seeking to limit the president's war powers. |
| Their potential defection raises the chances for the measure in the upper chamber, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. | Their potential defection raises the chances for the measure in the upper chamber, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. |
| Mr Lee told reporters it was "the worst briefing I've seen at least on a military issue in the nine years I've served". | Mr Lee told reporters it was "the worst briefing I've seen at least on a military issue in the nine years I've served". |
| He said the administration officials had asked them not even to debate the president's authority to strike Iran. He described their approach as "un-American" and "insane". | |
| But most Republicans lawmakers have stood by the president. | |
| Doug Collins of Georgia claimed Democrats were "in love with terrorists" and grieving more for Soleimani than for US service personnel killed by the Iranian commander. | Doug Collins of Georgia claimed Democrats were "in love with terrorists" and grieving more for Soleimani than for US service personnel killed by the Iranian commander. |
| "They mourn Soleimani more than they mourn our Gold Star families who are the ones who suffered under Soleimani," he told Fox News. | "They mourn Soleimani more than they mourn our Gold Star families who are the ones who suffered under Soleimani," he told Fox News. |