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Trump’s tough talk on Iran prompts Senate vote on war powers

Washington • Political unease over the White House’s tough talk against Iran is reviving questions about President Donald Trump’s ability to order military strikes without approval from Congress.

The Senate is heading toward a vote Friday on an amendment to a sweeping Defense bill that would require congressional support before Trump acts. It's not expected to pass. But lawmakers say Trump cannot continue relying on the nearly two-decade old war authorizations Congress approved in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Democratic Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico, an author of the measure, says he's not alone in raising concern about Trump's "ping-pong diplomacy" and "go it alone posture.