Staunch Israel supporter Hillary Clinton is for the first time supporting legislation that is opposed by pro-Israel lobbyists.
The presidential hopeful announced last week that she will co-sponsor in the Senate a measure, proposed by Jim Webb, D-Va., that would require the president to obtain congressional approval before launching a military strike against Iran.
Specifically, the bill bars the president from using funds appropriated for the Iraq war for military action against Iran without congressional approval. An exception would be made if Iran attacked the U.S. or American allies.
“Congressional oversight and debate can help avoid the mistakes and blunders that have afflicted U.S. policy in Iraq,” the New York senator said in a statement explaining her support for the measure.
“We cannot allow recent history to repeat itself.”
An official with a major Jewish group said “it is clear that many in the pro-Israel community would like to see this legislation go away,” according to the Jewish newspaper Forward.
Similar legislation came before the House earlier this year. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee called on House members to vote against the measure, and it was defeated.
Webb first introduced his legislation in March, but it was put on the backburner. The initiative is now being revived largely as a result of Hillary agreeing to add her name as a co-sponsor, making her the only Senate member to join Webb in promoting the measure, Forward reports.
If approved by the Democratic leadership, it could be brought to the Senate as an amendment, or as a stand-alone bill.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.