House sinks Rep. Rashida Tlaib's second war powers resolution on Lebanon

Washington — For a second time, the House on Tuesday voted against limiting President Trump's authority to engage the U.S. military in warfare in Lebanon without congressional authorization. The war powers resolution , which was introduced by Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, is an updated version of a measure that also failed earlier this month after Democratic leaders came out against it. Tuesday's vote ended with 189 voting in favor and 235 voting in opposition of constraining the president's authority. The new version, which had the approval of Democratic leaders, would have directed the president to remove U.S. armed forces "from any hostilities in Lebanon" within seven days of the measure's adoption. It would not have constrained all military activity, stipulating, "Nothing in this concurrent resolution may be construed to prevent or limit security cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces or the protection of diplomatic facilities." The original measure would have directed the president to remove U.S. armed forces "from Lebanon" within seven days of the measure's adoption. "Currently, there are no U.S. service members involved in combat operations or hostilities in Lebanon," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said in a statement earlier this month explaining the change. Tensions in southern Lebanon have threatened a final peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. …