US House again rejects democratic attempt to limit Iran war
The vote follows a similar 47 to 52 defeat for a war powers resolution in the Senate on Wednesday
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[WASHINGTON] House Republicans again blocked an attempt by Democrats to try to force US President Donald Trump to end hostilities in Iran.
The 213 to 214 vote on Thursday (Apr 16) was the latest attempt by Democrats to force Republicans to go on record defending the unpopular war in the Middle East, which has dented Trump’s approval ratings amid rising gas prices and plunging consumer sentiment.
The vote follows a similar 47 to 52 defeat for a war powers resolution in the Senate on Wednesday, which also largely fell along partisan lines.
The US and Iran are considering extending a current two-week ceasefire set to end on Tuesday and the US is brokering talks between Israel and Lebanon to end their related conflict.
US equity markets have reached new highs this week on rising optimism that the peace talks will succeed and limit the economic fallout from the war.
Republicans are also pinning their midterm hopes on a quick resolution and for now are sticking with the president to give him leeway to negotiate. The War Powers Act sets a deadline of 60 days for presidential military action without congressional authorisation and some in the party have indicated they would consider voting to constrain Trump if active hostilities resume after the 60-day mark.
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Congress is expected to have a fuller debate on the war when the bill comes due for its cost. The Pentagon has suggested seeking up to US$200 billion immediately to replenish supplies and cover other associated costs. Still, the White House has not yet given any indication of how much it will request to pay for the war.
White House Budget Director Russ Vought declined in congressional testimony this week to give even a “ballpark” dollar figure of what the administration is planning to request or even say when the request will be made.
The emergency war request would be in addition to a nearly US$500 billion increase in the current US$1 trillion Pentagon budget that the Trump administration is seeking for the 2027 federal fiscal year that begins Oct 1. BLOOMBERG
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