US Senate advances bill to repeal decades-old Iraq war authorizations

FILE PHOTO: A U.S. soldier stands guard during a peace conference in al-Zawra amusement park in Baghdad November 7, 2008. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Monday to advance legislation to repeal two decades-old authorizations for past wars in Iraq, as Congress pushed to reassert its role over deciding whether to send troops into combat.

The vote was 65 to 28 to limit debate on the measure, more than the 60 votes required in the 100-member Senate, paving the way for a vote on passage later this week. All 28 "no" votes were from Republicans.