Senate Rejects Measure Forcing Trump To Seek Approval For War With Iran

Source: Huffington Post

The Senate failed to pass an amendment Friday that would have forced President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before going to war with Iran, leaving in place broad powers for the president to launch military action.

The Kaine-Udall amendment, which Senate Democrats rallied around this week, failed to gain the 60 votes needed to break through the chamber’s filibuster rules. The measure was met with opposition from Republican senators with few exceptions, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), who supported it. The final vote tally was 50 in favor to 40 against the amendment.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer touted the vote as proof that Trump should consult Congress on matters of war, given the widespread concern from lawmakers.

Senators who backed the amendment hoped the measure would rein in an erratic president who only a week earlier ordered ― and then pulled back ― a military strike on Iran. The amendment signaled widespread concern among Democratic lawmakers that the White House is on a course for conflict with Tehran, and that Congress lacks oversight authority to avert it.



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