Members of the lower legislative chamber in the US on
Thursday approved a nonbinding resolution aimed at restraining President Donald
Trump from taking military action against Iran.
The House of Representatives voted against Trump’s ability
to attack Iran in the future without congressional approval.
The House reached the resolution following wide criticism
over Trump’s decision to order the killing of Iranian military leader Qassem
Soleimani in Iraq.
Before ordering Soleimani’s killing, the Congress was not
consulted by the Presidency.
The House, acting on the War Powers resolution, also
directed Trump to terminate military operations against Iran except for
self-defence and clarifies that the president presently does not have
congressional authority to engage in war with Iran.
The Republican-dominated Senate is expected to conduct a
similar version.
The House vote of 224 against Trump and 194 for the
President, fell along party lines and followed days of frustration by Democrats
over Trump actions regarding Iran.
Three Republicans and one Independent sided with the
Democrats. Eight Democrats voted with Republicans against the resolution.
Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, said Trump’s
decision to order the drone attack on Soleimani was “provocative and
disproportionate.”
Democrat’s Elissa Slotkin, who was the lead sponsor of the
House resolution, said, “I have followed Iran’s destabilising activity in Iraq
up close for my entire professional career,” during floor debate.
“I have watched friends and colleagues hurt or killed by
Iranian rockets, mortars and explosive devices.
“If our loved ones are going to be sent to fight in any
protracted war, the president owes the American public a conversation.”
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