US Democratic lawmakers announce bill to block Pentagon funding for war with Iran

Two US Democratic lawmakers, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and California Congressman Ro Khanna, announced they will introduce legislation to block any military funding used to attack Iran.

The bill they plan to introduce is the same amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act that passed in the House of Representatives last year; it would have prohibited funds in 2020 Pentagon budget from being used to strike Iran without congressional approval.

The provision was then later taken out of the bill.

"War must be the last recourse in our international relations. That is why our Founding Fathers gave the responsibility over war to Congress," the lawmakers said in a statement.

"Congressional inaction in the face of the threat of a catastrophic and unconstitutional Middle East conflict is not acceptable."