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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Democrat calls foul after panel strikes war powers measure

By Richard Lardner Associated Press

WASHINGTON – A House Democrat is accusing Republican leaders of “underhanded” tactics after a GOP-controlled panel stripped her amendment to force a debate on new presidential war powers from the 2018 military spending bill.

In a statement Wednesday, Rep. Barbara Lee of California blames House Speaker Paul Ryan for forcing the Rules Committee to remove the measure from the bill “in the dead of night.”

Lee’s amendment won bipartisan backing last month from House Appropriations Committee members.

Her measure would repeal the 2001 war authorization 240 days after the spending bill is enacted. She says eight months is enough time for Congress to approve new war powers.

Ryan’s spokeswoman, AshLee Strong, calls Lee’s amendment “irresponsible” and says it would have left U.S. troops without the authority they need to combat terror groups.