US House passes Iran war powers resolution in rare rebuke to Trump
The US House of Representatives passed a war-powers resolution by 219-198 that would require President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for new strikes in the continuing military confrontation with Iran. Eighteen Republicans voted with Democrats in support of the measure.
Al Jazeera StaffOn Tuesday night the US House of Representatives passed a war-powers resolution by 219 votes to 198 that would require President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before ordering new strikes in the continuing military confrontation with Iran. Eighteen Republicans voted with the Democratic majority, including Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida. The resolution now goes to the Senate.
Democratic congressman Ro Khanna, who led the measure, said the resolution was 'aimed at reinstating the War Powers Act' and pointed out that the US strikes on Iranian sites over the past three weeks had been launched without congressional approval. Republican Mr Massie told the chamber: 'The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war; the party of the president does not matter.' Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the Senate would set a date for its own vote within a week.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the resolution as a 'piece of political theatre that risks our defence' and said the president would veto the measure if it cleared the Senate. Under the US Constitution, a veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote, which current voting balances do not appear to permit. The US Navy said new strikes were carried out on Iranian radar sites overnight after a sixth wave of attacks in the Persian Gulf. According to a congressional source, the Senate vote is currently planned for 12 June.
More from Middle East
Rubio distances himself from Netanyahu's Gaza plan
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's post-conflict plan for Gaza does not have Washington's backing. Mr Rubio said the US would prioritise 'a two-state solution and the restructuring of the Palestinian Authority'.
Trump seeks to split Lebanon talks from Iran war negotiations
According to Al Jazeera, the Trump administration is seeking to separate the Lebanon ceasefire talks from the Iran war negotiations. The strategy aims to advance the two issues on parallel but independent tracks. Regional parties are reading the approach differently.
Israel and Lebanon agree ceasefire contingent on Hezbollah halting attacks
Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, the BBC reported. The truce is contingent on Hezbollah halting its attacks. Tensions on the ground continue while oil and currency markets are watching the news closely.