A panel of House lawmakers agreed Thursday to repeal the legislation authorizing the use of military force against terrorists that Congress passed after the 9/11 attacks, which could set the stage for a renewed debate over U.S. conflict in the Middle East.

It was a victory for Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., who offered the amendment to the Defense Department spending bill to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, and set a deadline for Congress to debate and pass new legislation setting limits on U.S. military operations overseas.