House Votes to Repeal Iraq War Authorizations, Limiting Presidential War Powers

The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to repeal the legal justifications for the 1991 and 2003 attacks on Iraq. This action represents the latest effort by Congress to limit the president's power to engage in military actions.

This move comes after President Trump's decisions to conduct airstrikes. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns about the continued existence of these authorizations, arguing that they could be misused by presidents. The House approved the measure with a vote of 261 to 167, supported by a majority of Democrats and a significant number of Republicans. The amendment was attached to the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which was later passed. The amendment was introduced by Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks and Republican Representative Chip Roy.

During the debate, Representative Meeks stated that the authorizations were "long obsolete" and could lead to abuse by any administration. He emphasized the need for Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over matters of war and peace. Republican Representative Brian Mast, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, voiced procedural objections to the amendment.

A similar measure had previously passed the Senate in 2023, but it did not receive a vote in the House. In 2021, the House had voted to repeal the 2002 authorization, but the effort stalled in the Senate. Both chambers had a Democratic majority at that time. The 2002 authorization was approved before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which resulted in the removal of Saddam Hussein's government. The 1991 authorization was passed during the Gulf War.

Representative Roy argued that the authorizations should not remain in effect for such extended periods. In 2020, President Trump cited the 2002 authorization as part of the legal basis for an airstrike that resulted in the death of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.