House OKs War Powers Resolution aimed at Trump
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure Thursday designed to curb any future actions President Donald Trump may take in Iran, a resolution the president called on fellow Republicans to reject.
The measure was adopted 224-194 on a largely party-line vote.
Last weekend, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats would introduce a War Powers Resolution reasserting "Congress' long-established oversight responsibilities by mandating that if no further Congressional action is taken, the Administration's military hostilities with regard to Iran will cease within 30 days."
Pelosi said the resolution would be led by U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).
In Dear Colleague letter, Pelosi says that the House will vote on a War Powers Resolution this week. Read @npfandos and @CatieEdmondson on the Iran/impeachment dynamic facing Congress when they return this week >>> https://t.co/qDpuezMKx0 pic.twitter.com/AzvODvfMu8
— Emily Cochrane (@ESCochrane) January 6, 2020
On Thursday, Pelosi addressed the resolution in her weekly news conference.
The House is moving forward with @RepSlotkin's War Powers Resolution limiting the President’s military actions regarding Iran. The Admin must work with the Congress to advance an immediate, effective de-escalatory strategy which prevents further violence. https://t.co/i3KU9bqWqh pic.twitter.com/9bwnjBMjnz
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 8, 2020
Prior to Thursday afternoon’s debate and vote, Trump took to social media, asking GOP House members to fight the resolution.
Hope that all House Republicans will vote against Crazy Nancy Pelosi’s War Powers Resolution. Also, remember her “speed & rush” in getting the Impeachment Hoax voted on & done. Well, she never sent the Articles to the Senate. Just another Democrat fraud. Presidential Harassment!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2020
The resolution is the latest battle between Trump and congressional Democrats, and comes in the wake of last week's drone strike that killed top Iranian Revolutionary Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Democrats continue to decry the airstrike that killed Soleimani, claiming they were not briefed on any military action Trump planned to take in the Middle East.
American leaders’ highest priority is to protect American lives and interests. But we cannot put the lives of American servicemembers, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions. https://t.co/o0R8YVJMNW
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 3, 2020
Republicans, however, claim Trump briefed them before the airstrike was carried out.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) confirmed he had been briefed by U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
»RELATED: US to send 3,000 more troops to Mideast after airstrike kills Iranian general
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also said he was given a heads-up about the possibility of a Soleimani strike — even though he's not a member of the “Gang of Eight,” which is made up of the top Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate and the House, as well as the leaders of each chamber’s intelligence committees.
Thousands of Iranians took to Tehran streets Monday, mourning Soleimani's killing, which happened while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was at the Baghdad airport in Iraq.
More than 50 people were killed and hundreds more injured when a stampede broke out during the procession.
The original War Powers Resolution was passed in 1973 in response to U.S. activity in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Pelosi is facing mounting pressure from within her own party to finally turn over Democrat-passed articles of impeachment against the president to the Senate.
»MORE: Trump impeachment trial could begin next week, senators say
Pelosi has delayed sending the charges over to the Senate and refused to name the House managers who would handle the trial until Senate GOP leaders meet her demands. She is demanding information from the Senate on how it plans to conduct Trump’s trial and hopes to give Democrats more leverage in calling witnesses.
