Foreign Policy and National Security

Last week, mostly lost amid the deafening din of President Trump's serial outrages, the House of Representatives finally began asserting common sense and the congressional prerogative over war and peace. By passing a series of amendments to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act, it has started to take action against the United States' increasingly unpopular endless wars.

The House overwhelmingly passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) barring President Trump from going to war with Iran without congressional approval Friday. The amendment, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, would prevent federal funds from being used for any conflict in Iran without congressional authorization.

"Congress has spoken in clear terms that the American people do not want another endless war in the Middle East," Khanna told CBS News about the passage of his amendment.

The House Friday voted to block President Donald Trump from waging war against Iran without congressional authorization.

Lawmakers approved 251 to 170 an amendment to the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act by Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) that would bar funding to use military force against Iran unless Congress authorizes it.

WASHINGTON – The House approved a measure Thursday that would force President Donald Trump to end U.S. military support of Saudi Arabia's military operations in Yemen.

Next up is a proposal that would bar Trump from launching a military strike against Iran, which supporters predict will pass in a vote set for Friday.

The twin legislative actions represent a new level of congressional push back against Trump's foreign policy, as Democrats use their House majority to rebuke the president over his aggressive stance toward Iran and his cozy ties with Saudi Arabia.

WASHINGTON — The House voted on Thursday to cut off American support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen and to prevent the Trump administration from using its emergency authority to transfer munitions to the kingdom, delivering twin rebukes as Democrats sought to leave their stamp on military policy.

The votes were the opening salvo as Democrats begin an amendment blitz that could reshape Congress's annual defense policy bill to broadly restrict the president's war powers and serve as an indictment of the president's foreign policy.

The Democrats may control the House of Representatives, but how much is that majority really worth? After all, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) touts himself as the "grim reaper" for legislation passed by the House. President Trump scorns Democrats for not getting anything done, while blowing up negotiations on rebuilding U.S. infrastructure. House progressives revolt when Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) folds to the Senate on emergency aid for the president's border calamity.

Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat whose district includes Silicon Valley in California, is known for his vocal opposition to President Trump and his status as one of the House's most progressive members. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from the panhandle of Florida, has made waves with his fiery Fox News appearances and his staunch support for the president.

But although they are ideological opposites on nearly every issue, Khanna and Gaetz agree on a key issue: the president can't start a war with Iran without Congress' stamp of approval.