US House votes to restrain Trump on Iran

Measure would require president Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before ordering a military strike. Photo / Getty Images

The US House of Representatives has passed a measure requiring Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before authorising military strikes on Iran, setting up a clash with the Senate over US policy in the Middle East.

The House measure was approved on Friday as an amendment to the annual defence spending bill. However, a similar measure on Iran failed to gather enough support to be added to the defence spending bill passed by the Republican-controlled Senate late last month.

Over the next few weeks, the two chambers must negotiate over the final version of the defence spending bill — a must-pass piece of legislation.

Last month, Trump ordered strikes on three Iranian targets in response to Iran shooting down a US drone, but called off the attack shortly before it was conducted by the Pentagon.

Lawmakers and administration officials have been locked in a fierce debate over the authority of the president to attack Iran without the approval of Congress.

Several lawmakers are worried that the Trump administration will seek to use an old authorisation for war issued by Congress in 2001, following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the US. It gave former president George W Bush the power to retaliate against al-Qaeda.

Testifying before Congress in May, Mike Pompeo, secretary of state, said there was "no doubt" that a link existed between al-Qaeda and Iran, accusing the Islamic republic of harbouring al-Qaeda terrorists.

He declined to say, however, whether he thought the administration had the legal authority to engage in war with Iran based on the 2001 authorisation, saying he would leave the question to lawyers.

Senator Tom Udall, one of the sponsors of the Senate measure on Iran, said the Senate had sent a "clear message" to Trump, even though the measure was blocked. It needed 60 votes to advance, but only received 50.

"House and Senate leaders must recognise the will of Congress and include a strong provision to bar an unauthorised war with Iran in the final version of the defence bill that comes out of conference," said Udall.

Written by: Aime Williams

© Financial Times 2019