Key members of Congress are demanding a swift vote on a war powers resolution that would restrain President Donald Trump's military attack on Iran unless the administration wins their approval for what they warn is a potentially illegal campaign that risks pulling the United States into a deeper Middle East conflict.
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militarytimes.comksat.comBoth the House and Senate, where the president's Republican Party has a slim majority, had already drafted such resolutions long before the strikes on Saturday.Now they are ready to plunge into a rare war powers debate next week that will serve as a referendum on Trump's decision to go it alone on military action without formal authorization from Congress.
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ksat.commyupnow.com"Has President Trump learned nothing from decades of US meddling in Iran and forever wars in the Middle East?" asked Sen.Tim Kaine, D-Va., a leader in the bipartisan effort.He described the strikes on Iran as "a colossal mistake".
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adn.commyupnow.comIn the House, Reps.Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., are pressing for Congress to go on record with a public vote on their own bipartisan measure."Congress must convene on Monday to vote," Khanna said, "to stop this".
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militarytimes.comksat.comMassie criticized Trump's presidential campaign slogan, stating, "This is not 'America First'".
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adn.comHowever, most Republicans, particularly their leaders, welcomed Trump's move against Iran.They cited the longtime US adversary's nuclear programs and missile capabilities as requiring a military response."Well done, Mr President," said Sen.Lindsey Graham, R-SC "As I watch and monitor this historic operation, I'm in awe of President Trump's determination to be a man of peace but at the end of the day, evil's worst nightmare".
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militarytimes.comksat.comThe administration's decision to launch, in coordination with Israel, what appears to be an open-ended joint military operation aimed at changing the government in Tehran is testing the Constitution's separation of powers in deep and dramatic ways.While presidents have the authority as the commander in chief to conduct certain strategic military operations, the Constitution vests Congress with the power to wage war.No such vote was attempted for the recent actions against Iran, contrasting with the approach taken by previous administrations, such as during the Iraq War in 2003, where extensive efforts were made to secure congressional authorization.
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militarytimes.commyupnow.comThe congressional debate over war powers may largely be symbolic.Even if a resolution were to pass the narrowly split Congress, Trump is likely to veto it, and Congress would not have the two-thirds majority needed to overturn that rejection.Historical precedence indicates that Congress has often failed to block other US military actions, including previous votes on Venezuela, although these roll calls serve as a public record.
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ksat.commyupnow.comHouse Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., reflected the party's long-standing views, stating that Iran is facing "the severe consequences of its evil actions." He noted that leaders of the House and Senate had been briefed on the necessity of military action to protect US troops and citizens in Iran.Johnson indicated he would remain in close contact with Trump and the Defense Department as the operation unfolds.
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adn.commyupnow.comConversely, many Democrats are labeling the operation illegal, arguing that the Constitution grants Congress alone the power to declare war.They criticize the administration for not providing a clear rationale or plan for the military strikes and the anticipated aftermath.Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., stated that the president has undertaken "illegal, regime-change war against Iran," asserting it jeopardizes US interests and safety.
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militarytimes.comadn.comHouse Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York emphasized the need for authorization for the preemptive use of military force, stating, "Iran is a bad actor and must be aggressively confronted," but warned against unilateral military action without congressional consent.
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myupnow.cominquirer.comSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, called for immediate congressional briefings on the administration's plans, stressing that while Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon, the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are pressing issues at home.
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adn.cominquirer.comAs the debate unfolds in Congress, the implications of Trump's actions on US foreign policy and military engagement in the Middle East are likely to be scrutinized closely, setting the stage for a significant constitutional confrontation over war powers in the coming weeks.
