Senate Approves Limit On President's Military Powers In Iraq

A new bill that would limit the executive branch's powers to perform military operations in Iraq without approval from congress received Senate approval this week.

The legislation now awaits a House vote, which is under Republican leadership.

"A bipartisan group of senators voted 66-30 to repeal 1991 and 2002 authorizations (AUMF) for combat operations against Iraq to reduce American presidents’ broad powers to conduct military operations without congressional approval," reported Breitbart News.

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky supported pulling back congressional war powers from the executive branch.

The bill will now head to the House. Republican chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Michael McCaul of Texas is the biggest obstacle to the bill passing.

Congress passed the 2001 AUMF in the wake of 9/11 and the language was intentionally vague. Since it's passage it has been used to deploy American troops to 22 different countries. 20 years have passed and US troops are no longer in Afghanistan but the AUMF remains active. pic.twitter.com/vEHwIsWFoz

— Concerned Veterans for America (@ConcernedVets) March 23, 2023

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said he would not have a "problem" repealing the president’s powers.

"McCaul says he is still waiting for McCarthy’s approval. McCaul, an establishment Republican, has been a strong advocate of sending billions to defend Ukraine’s border," reported Breitbart.

"I’m still waiting to hear back from leadership on if we can go forward with a replacement, and if not, I’m sure it probably has the votes to pass," McCaul said.