US House Republicans narrowly block latest bid to rein in Trump’s Iran war powers
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The war powers resolution against US President Donald Trump was defeated by 214 to 213 in the Republican-majority chamber, a day after a similar measure was blocked in the Senate.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
- US House supports Trump's Iran campaign, defeating a Democratic resolution 214-213, following a similar Senate block.
- Republicans largely back Trump's war policy, initiated by US/Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, despite Democrat opposition.
- Democrats cite the US Constitution, arguing Congress must authorise war, while Trump asserts commander-in-chief authority.
AI generated
WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives backed President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran on April 16, narrowly defeating a Democratic-led resolution aiming to stop the war until hostilities are authorised by Congress.
The war powers resolution was defeated by 214 to 213 in the Republican-majority chamber, a day after a similar measure was blocked in the Senate.
The vote was almost exclusively along party lines, with every Republican except one opposing the resolution, and one voting present.
One Democrat voted against it.
The vote underscored the continuing support among Mr Trump’s fellow Republicans for the president’s war policy, more than six weeks after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb 28.
Democrats have called on the president to come to Congress for authorisation for the use of military force, noting that the US Constitution says that Congress, not the president, can declare war.
However, presidents from both parties have long held that the restriction does not apply for short-term operations or if the country is under immediate threat.
The White House, and almost all of Mr Trump’s fellow Republicans in Congress, say Mr Trump’s actions are legal and within his rights as commander-in-chief to protect the US by ordering limited military operations. REUTERS
