The House has passed an amendment as part of the NDAA blocking Trump from using any federal funds for an attack in or against Iran.
House Passes Bipartisan Amendment To Block Trump For Attacking Iran
Rep. Anthony Brown spoke on the House floor:
We just passed our amendment to prevent war with Iran. I worked closely with @RepRoKhanna and others to make sure it could win bipartisan support, and it did, passing 251-170.
We are not a Congress or a nation that accepts going to war on a whim. My remarks from last night 👇🾠pic.twitter.com/HFwNNAMHgX
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— Anthony G. Brown (@RepAnthonyBrown) July 12, 2019
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) was the primary sponsor of the amendment along with Republican Matt Gaetz (R-FL):
Congress has passed my bipartisan #NDAA Amendment w/ @RepMattGaetz to prevent funds for war with Iran. This is the only way to stop Trump from starting another costly war. Constitutional rights aren’t optional and endless war isn’t inevitable 1/
— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) July 12, 2019
In the end we had 87 cosponsors from both parties lead in reasserting Congress’ authority over matters of war and peace. This is how we democratize our foreign policy and put an end to unconstitutional wars 2/2
— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) July 12, 2019
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, one of Trump’s biggest enablers in the House, said that the amendment was consistent with Trump’s pledge not get the US involved in far-flung conflicts. The fate of the amendment will be decided in conference committee as the House and Senate will reconcile their versions of the NDAA. The message being sent to the White House is that a strong majority of the House does not want war with Iran.
In the bigger picture, those members of Congress who support returning the power to make war to the Legislative Branch are gaining ground. If this amendment makes it through Congress, since Trump won’t veto the NDAA, the attack Iran hawks in the administration will be defeated.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
