Welcome to Friday, January 10th, birds and bees...

The House has approved a war powers resolution, curbing President Trump's military actions against Iran.

This non-binding resolution directs the president to terminate the use of U.S. military forces against Iran - or any part of its government or military - unless Congress declares war.

The resolution was approved in a mostly party-line vote of 224-194. Three Republicans and one independent joined Democrats to pass the measure. Eight Democrats opposed it.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran are at one of their highest points since the 1979 Iranian Revolution after a U.S. drone strike killed Iran's top general, Qasem Soleimani.

The legislation doesn't prevent the president from using military force against Al Qaeda or to defend U.S. allies.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), who introduced the resolution, said it's "intended to make clear that, if the president wants to take us to war, he must get authorization from Congress. This is simply what our Constitution requires. If our loved ones are going to be sent to fight in any protracted war, the president owes the American people a public conversation about why and for what ends."

The Senate could vote on a similar resolution as early as next week.

Should Congress try to block the use of military force against Iran?

On the Radar

Appeals Court Rules Trump Can Use Military Funds for Border Wall

A divided 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has handed the Trump administration a victory, ruling that the president can divert $3.6 billion from military projects to build the border wall.

"This is a victory for the rule of law. We are committed to keeping our borders secure, and we will finish the wall," said White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham.

Lawyers for El Paso County and the Border Network for Human Rights - who sued over the controversial funding mechanism - said they plan to continue fighting.

"A court has already determined that the government can't lawfully use military construction funds to build Trump's border wall," said Kristy Parker, counsel at the nonpartisan nonprofit Protect Democracy.

"It's unfortunate that the people of El Paso will continue to suffer harm while the government appeals, but we're confident that we'll prevail again in this next stage of litigation," Parker said.

Should Trump be allowed to use military funds for the border wall?