The U.S. House of Representatives today approved two measures aimed at limiting the military authority of President Donald Trump, to prevent him from taking action against Iran without Congressional approval. The Democratic majority legislature approved by 236 votes in favor and 166 against, mainly along party lines, a proposal by Blue Force legislator Barbara Lee to revoke the 2002 Military Force Authorization (MFA), issued by Congress to give the green light to the invasion of Iraq.
Democratic and Republican members of the Capitol have criticized the AUMF for the way in which administrations have since then used it to justify their military actions.
The 2002 authorization was cited by the Trump executive after the Republican leader ordered a drone attack on January 8 to assassinate Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq, a move that appeared to draw both countries closer to a war.
This provoked an immediate reaction from the Democrats, who condemned the fact that the president did not count on Congress to carry out this operation, and led to increased efforts to limit the president’s capacity to enter into a war with Tehran without consulting the legislature.
Members of Congress continue to have serious and urgent concerns about the president’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and his lack of strategy to move forward,’ said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ahead of Thursday’s vote.
Source: Prensa Latina
