US bill to ban hostile action against Iran without Congress approval

Lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties introduced a bill in Congress aimed at banning the US armed forces from engaging in any hostile actions against Iran without prior congress approval.

The bill was jointly drafted by Republican Representative Thomas Massie and several Democratic lawmakers — including members who often disagree with Massie on domestic issues, NBC News reported.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Massie indicated that the constitution does not allow the executive authority to unilaterally initiate acts of war against a sovereign nation that has not attacked the United States.

Only Congress has the constitutional power to declare war on Iran, stressing that the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel is not a US issue. Even if it were, he said, it is Congress that is constitutionally empowered to make such a decision.