The House of Representatives explicitly stated that tough measures it recommended for Iran in a major defense bill did not authorize war.
“Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the use of force against Iran,” said an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, the bill that directs defense spending, which passed in the House May 18.
The act includes substantive references to Iran, among them a “declaration of policy” that the United States shall “take all necessary measures, including military action if required, to prevent Iran from threatening the United States, its allies, or Iran’s neighbors with a nuclear weapon.”
It also authorizes combat assessments of Iran’s forces and sufficient forces in the Persian Gulf to face Iran.
A number of dovish groups, including several within the pro-Israel community, have been lobbying lawmakers to include explicit denials in such legislation.
The amendment counting out a war authorization was initiated by Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Walter Jones. (R-N.C.). — jta