DAR AL HARB - U.S.A. - WASHINGTON D.C.: THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF AN ATTACK ON IRAN

House Nixes Proposal to Bar Iran Attack
By ANNE FLAHERTY Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House rejected two measures Wednesday that would have required President Bush to seek congressional approval before attacking Iran.
The proposals were offered as amendments to a $646 billion defense policy bill for the 2008 budget year, which starts Oct. 1.

The first proposal, by Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., would have prohibited money in the bill from being used to strike Iran without Congress' blessing; it fell by a 216-202 vote. A similar, but more sweeping measure offered by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., was rejected by a 288-136 vote.

The votes were primarily symbolic; Bush has not said he is planning to invade Iran. But because of missteps made in assessing pre-war intelligence on Iraq, many Democrats said the legislation was necessary.

"If it were any president I don't think we'd have to worry about this," said Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I.

A similar proposal on Iran initially was included in this year's war spending bill drafted by the House. But Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., agreed to remove the requirement after several Democrats said they were worried about Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

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"No one wants another war," said Rep. Shelly Berkley, D-Nev. "But if we don't take a tough stance on Iran and maintain the threat of military action, Iran will get the message that we don't care if it gets nuclear weapons."


Pertinent Links:

1) House Nixes Proposal to Bar Iran Attack