Intel: Democrats advance legislation to restrict Trump’s Middle East war powers

House Democrats advanced three provisions today that would broadly curtail President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct offensive military action across the Middle East — and the world — should they become law as part of the annual defense spending bill.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., introduced all three amendments, which would repeal the 2001 military authorization used as the legal basis for counterterrorism operations throughout the world after eight months, immediately revoke the 2002 authorization to invade Iraq and prohibit the president from using funds to launch offensive military action against Iran. Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against the 2001 authorization, which Congress hastily passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.