The Point: The House has its say on Iran

View this email in your browser   January 9, 2020  | by Lauren Dezenski The House has its say on Iran President Donald Trump may have spoken about Iran on Wednesday, but on Thursday, it was the House's turn.    The lower chamber passed a War Powers Resolution by a vote of 224-194, which would limit the President's ability to use military action against Iran without congressional approval.   The resolution didn't pass on a party-line vote, either. Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz, Thomas Massie and Francis Rooney crossed party lines to vote in favor while Democratic Reps. Max Rose, Ben McAdams, Anthony Brindisi, Joe Cunningham, Elaine Luria, Josh Gottheimer, Kendra Horn and Stephanie Murphy voted against the resolution.   (Check out CNN's latest reporting on the fast-moving situation in Iran).  The resolution, sponsored by Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, called on the President "to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran" unless Congress declares war or enacts "specific statutory authorization" for the use of armed forces. Even though Trump appeared to take his foot off the gas with Iran on Wednesday, the House still moved forward with its vote to rebuke him.    While the Democratic-controlled House had enough votes to clear its Iran war powers resolution (even with defectors), it would be an uphill climb for the resolution to pass in the Republican-led Senate. On Wednesday, two Senate Republicans said they'd support the measure, based on their issues with the administration's evidence to get involved with Iran in the first place: Mike Lee and Rand Paul. But two more votes are still needed for the resolution to pass the Senate.   The Point: This was the first of two big battles on the Hill this week (the other is impeachment), but this one we didn't exactly see coming.    -- Lauren QUOTE OF THE DAY "Nothing is a hoax." -- President Trump, when asked if he thinks global warming is a "hoax." He subsequently referred to the "impeachment hoax."  IMPEACHMENT TIMING We still don't know exactly when Nancy Pelosi will release the articles of impeachment to the Senate, kicking off a long-awaited trial.   Pelosi said Thursday she'd release them when "ready," but didn't give more information besides predicting it could be "soon."   How soon? Only Pelosi knows, but she did offer this tidbit: Pelosi is missing Saturday's playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers (her home team) and the Minnesota Vikings.   She explained: "I have, unfortunately, responsibilities to save our country from peril."   Senate Republican John Cornyn said that Republicans believe the impeachment trial will begin next week.     Today's episode: The House checks Trump on Iran  LAUREN'S GOOD READS On the trail with Mike Bloomberg   The surreal lives of campaign spouses   Do better, Facebook   Harry and Meghan are already out of the (wax) Royal Family   Among the things you can get at Costco: Travel MUSICAL INTERLUDE Dive into the old-but-good Damien Rice song, "Cannonball." THE SECRET TO MIKE POMPEO'S SUCCESS Chris charts Mike Pompeo's meteoric rise within the ranks of the Trump administration.   Stay in the loop with The Point on YouTube. Subscribe!  LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST     Donald Trump: Heads to Toledo, Ohio, tonight for his first campaign rally of the year.   Mike Bloomberg: Released his first campaign ad in Spanish.   Pete Buttigieg: Received his first endorsement from a black member of Congress.   ONE BIG TIER 4 The number of Democrats in the top tier in New Hampshire ahead of the November 11 primary: Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, a new poll says. They're all within the margin of error. You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303 Copyright © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.