House Democrats to force vote on Iran war powers resolution next week

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced Thursday that House Democratic leadership will force a vote next week on the Iran war powers resolution, which would require President Donald Trump to make his case to Congress before attacking Iran.The resolution comes as the United States and Iran undergo nuclear talks in Switzerland, which is being moderated by Oman. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the teams have made “significant progress” in their talks, which will continue next week. 
The resolution was introduced by Reps. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, and Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, earlier this year and comes after both chambers of congress rejected a Venezuela war powers resolution last month.
Legislation introduced through the War Powers Act is treated as privileged resolutions that fast-track votes on them. 
“As soon as Congress reconvenes next week, we will compel a vote of the full House of Representatives on the bipartisan Khanna-Massie War Powers resolution,” House Democratic leadership said in a statement. “This legislation would require the President to come to Congress to make the case for using military force against Iran. 
“The Iranian regime is brutal and destabilizing, seen most recently in the killing of thousands of protesters,” the statement continued. “However, undertaking a war of choice in the Middle East, without a full understanding of all the attendant risks to our servicemembers and to escalation, is reckless.
“We maintain that any such action would be unconstitutional without consultation with and authorization from Congress,” the leadership said. “Next week, every Member will have the opportunity to go on the record as to whether they support military action against Iran absent Congressional approval.”
Despite the Democratic push, a bipartisan pair of lawmakers said last week that they plan to oppose the legislation when it comes up for a vote. 
“We stand with the Iranian people who are demanding basic rights and dignity, and we are committed to protecting them from the regime’s savagery,” New York GOP Rep. Mike Lawler and New Jersey Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer said in the joint statement.
“We respect and defend Congress’s constitutional role in matters of war,” they continued. “However, this resolution would restrict the flexibility needed to respond to real and evolving threats and risks, signaling weakness at a dangerous moment.
“Congress should be briefed on any planned military action in compliance with the War Powers Act. It is also essential that the appropriate committees are fully and promptly briefed. Congress must not limit our ability to protect Americans and our allies,” they added. 

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