- The Washington Times - Friday, May 24, 2019

The leaders of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees have quashed an attempt to block funding for a potential war with Iran, Sen. Tim Kaine said.

The Virginia Democrat, who sits on both committees, said Thursday he proposed an amendment in a major defense authorization bill to restrict “any spending on a war or any military hostilities against Iran except in self-defense or pursuant to a congressional authorization.”

The move comes amid soaring tensions between Tehran and Washington, with the Trump administration dispatching new military assets to the region and accusing Iran of using its proxies to harass the U.S. and its allies.

Republican leaders of both committees ruled the Iran funding ban would not be allowed to be considered during markups of the budget.

Mr. Kaine vowed to renew the fight when the defense authorization bill hits the floor as early as mid-June.

“I frankly think it would be a colossal disaster if the United States were involved in Iran,” he said, “I especially believe it would be a disaster if we were to do that with the president’s unilateral say-so with no debate in Congress.”

• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.

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