Democratic-Republican clash over presidential war powers

Seven House Republicans joined all 213 voting Democrats late on Tuesday to pass, 220 to 204, a war powers resolution aimed at reining in President Trump's military operation in Iran, arguing the 60-day window the War Powers Resolution allows a president without congressional authorization has long expired. The administration says the president is acting within his authority as commander in chief and that the measure would improperly restrict his ability to protect US forces. The war has become a midterm lightning rod, dividing Republicans and blamed by some for higher gas prices.

In a second test of presidential authority, the House is also taking up the Senate-passed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, named for the late Ukraine champion who died in July. It would direct the president to impose tariffs of up to 500% on Russia and 100% on countries buying Russian energy, and senior House Democrats say that while they are "rock solid" for Ukraine, the bill would dramatically expand presidential tariff powers the Supreme Court recently said Trump does not have while failing to mandate sanctions, forcing the party to weigh support for Ukraine against handing Trump more power.