For Democrats, little recourse over Trump Iran actions

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Democratic lawmakers alarmed by a recent U.S. airstrike on a top Iranian general say they want to pass legislation that would bar the president from ramping up operations against Iran without Congress's approval.

But despite their outrage, Democrats have few options when it comes to restraining President Donald Trump's ability to escalate operations.

In a break with precedent, Trump did not inform congressional leaders before he ordered the drone strike that killed Major-General Qassem Soleimani last week.

Those notifications normally include the justification for the operation.

But Trump formally notified Congress after the fact. The notification, which came Saturday, was classified, limiting lawmakers' ability to talk about it.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday defended the rationale for keeping parts of the operation secret.

(SOUND BITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO, SAYING:

"There are things you simply cannot share. There are valuable information streams that we must protect. We will need them in the days and weeks ahead, and we will never present the risk to the United States by putting at risk that valuable information."

Under the U.S. War Powers Act, the president must inform Congress within 48 hours of introducing military forces into armed conflict abroad.

The act also bars a president from committing U.S. armed forces from any foreign action lasting more than 60 days without Congress' approval.

And Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on Sunday said Trump hadn't sought approval.

(SOUND BITE) (English) U.S. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY, SAYING:

"He can't act without authorization from Congress unless he's responding from an imminent threat. And he has the responsibility now to prove to us that this was in fact an imminent threat."

Trump claimed the strike against Soleimani was due to an imminent threat to American lives. The White House has not yet produced evidence to support that claim but blames Soleimani for the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers in Iraq.

Iran called the killing an act of terrorism.

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed to introduce legislation this week on a new War Powers resolution that would force Trump to stop military action against Iran within 30 days.

But Republicans control the Senate, and they have shown no inclination to break with their party's leader, meaning there is little chance any bill becomes law.