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Intel: Congress wants to sanction Iran’s allies in Iraq. Here’s why the State Department thinks it’s a bad idea.

Members of Iraq's Shi'ite militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq, who are supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, take part in a parade in Karbala March 21, 2014.REUTERS/Mushtaq Muhammed (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS CONFLICT) - GM1EA3M0DPL01

Congress just moved a bill that could lead to sanctions on an Iran-backed militia that won several seats in the Iraqi parliament this year. But the State Department isn’t on board.

The bill requiring the State Department to determine whether Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and Asaib Ahl al-Haq are eligible for sanctions cleared the House Foreign Affairs panel unanimously this morning. That latter group won 15 seats in the May elections.

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