Anti-war groups gain new traction with Democratic leaders after Soleimani strike
House Democrats are considering a three-pronged offensive to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to wage war with Iran after abandoning the effort last year.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has thrown down the gauntlet on President Donald Trump’s ability to strike Iran, vowing to hold a vote this week “to limit the president’s military actions against Iran” following the assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani last week.
Al-Monitor has learned that Democratic leaders are also considering holding votes on two other provisions that they had dropped from a compromise defense authorization bill last month amid opposition from the White House and Senate Republicans.
Anti-war activist groups are lobbying Democrats to revive legislation defunding offensive military action against Iran and to repeal the 2002 military authorization that allowed President George. W. Bush to invade Iraq.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., agreed to drop both provisions from the National Defense Authorization Act last year after negotiations with Republicans, but the recent strike on Soleimani and escalating military tensions with Iran have revived Democratic interest in both initiatives.
