“Ironically, just a few weeks later, these groups launched a mortar attack against the US embassy in Baghdad.”

“My staff was in Baghdad last month and the embassy staff scoffed at this legislation, saying sanctions would provoke the terrorist militias,” said Poe.

Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, who has aggressively pushed for these sanctions, acknowledged that the State Department isn’t on board during a Wednesday hearing.

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.

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.

Why it matters: While lawmakers are on the same page, the State Department’s concerns echo those of Iraqi politicians across the political spectrum. Asaib Ahl al-Haq is part of the pro-Iran Fatah alliance, which is trying to form a governing coalition with Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s nationalist Sairoon alliance. Thanks to its electoral gains, Asaib Ahl al-Haq has a shot at a junior cabinet position in the next government.

But isn’t Trump going after Iran’s proxies? Yes. Echoing Poe’s accusation, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has blamed Iran-backed militias for a mortar attack near the US embassy in Baghdad and a similar attack near the US consulate in Basra. No group has claimed responsibility however and the White House has yet to produce evidence to back up its claims.

What else is in the bill? The bill that cleared committee also paves the way for sanctions on several Shiite militia leaders, including Asaib Ahl al-Haq’s Qais al-Khazali and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba’s Akram al-Kaabi. Kaabi is already under US sanctions. The bill also paves the way for sanctions on two other Shiite militias – the Afghan Liwa Fatemiyoun and the Pakistani Liwa Zainebiyoun – fighting on behalf of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.

What’s Next? The Trump administration already has the legal authority to sanction all these groups. The bill is Congress’ attempt to force the administration’s hand on Asaib Ahl al-Haq.

Know More: For more background on the congressional push and parallel legislation in the Senate, read congressional correspondent Bryant Harris’ report from earlier this week. And be sure to read Al-Monitor contributor Hamdi Malik’s interview with a key militia official for the view from Iraq.

- Bryant Harris