The House Approves An Amendment To Prevent Trump From Taking Military Action Against Iran

The House voted on Friday 251-170 to approve an amendment to block President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump boasts that Kim Jong Un "was so happy to see me" Romney defends Paul Ryan: "The fault of our defeat of 2012 is mine alone" Trump declares urgency in the face of Tropical Storm Barry MORE to take military action against Iran.

The amendment would ban funding for US military action against Iran unless Congress declares war or promulgates another specific statutory authorization.

Some Republicans broke rank to support him, including Trump's vocal representative, ally. Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) Gaetz Hillicon Valley: Trump Opposes "Terrible Bias" at White House Social Media Summit | Twitter hit by a failure of an hour | Google admits workers are listening to smart device registrations Members have little time to question Mueller Trump's rails against the "terrible bias" at the social media summit PLUS (R-Fla.), Who co-sponsored the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Twenty-seven Republicans side with the Democrats to support the amendment, while seven Democrats voted against it.

representative Ro KhannaRohit (Ro) KhannaIt's time for the left to advance a shared vision of national security: start by passing the NDAA. The Hill & # 39; s Morning Report – The 2020 Tremor Strikes Both Parties In The Senate The Democrats Confidence Is Confident That A Bill Will Survive The Parties' Fights (D-Calif.), The main sponsor of the amendment, called the measure to send a strong signal to Trump.

"It reminds the president that the American people, Democrats and Republicans, do not want another war in the Middle East," Khanna told reporters. "The president was well aware of that, and that's what he said when he campaigned, and he'll probably want to repeat it when he's campaigning again, so I think it reminds him of the general feeling of public and should not be too influenced by the Washington establishment. "

The amendment was a key demand of the progressives as Democratic leaders sought to have the NDAA vote without the support of Republicans.

Progressives believe NDAA's $ 733 billion price is too high. But they said they would support the bill anyway if the main amendments were passed, especially those related to Trump's war powers.

The amendment concerning Iran was precisely considered urgent in the face of rising tensions with Tehran. Trump said last month that he was about to launch a military strike against Iran after shooting down an American UAV.

"If my war – hungry colleagues – some of whom have already suggested invading Venezuela, North Korea and probably some countries before noon tomorrow – they 're so sure of their case against the US. Iran, let them bring their permission. use military force against Iran up to this floor, "Gaetz said in the House.

Most Republicans, however, argued that the amendment would bind Trump and the military to protect themselves from Iran's threats.

"You do not handcuff the president or the commander-in-chief, you do not handcuff him until he's prepared to face a state that supports terror, which is wrong," said the senior member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. . Michael McCaulMichael Thomas McCaulTrump officials defend the use of facial recognition in a context of annoyance. Priority to Learning for Security and Prosperity in Central America Texas Republican: Migration Conditions in His State Are the "Worst" He's Ever Seen (R-Texas) said.

The inclusion of the amendment in the version of the bill in the House creates a conflict with the Senate. The upper house voted on a similar amendment when it considered its version of the NDAA, but could not meet the 60 votes needed for its adoption.

Both houses will have to reconcile their versions of the bill before sending it to Trump's office.