And this is new for him, because up until now the Republican Congress has given him a blank check with no oversight, no standards, no conditions.

NPR: Pelosi Vows 'No Blank Check' on Iraq War

Few, if any, in Congress who voted for the authorization understood at the time that they were voting for a virtual blank check that has provided the legal basis for more than a decade of war.

CNN: Bush's war on terror is over

Obama who skipped the vote while campaigning in New Hampshire has said it gave President Bush a "blank check" to go to war against Iran.

NPR: Iran Sparks Fireworks at Democratic Debate