Allowing foreign wars is the job of US lawmakers, but recent presidents have developed their own strengths to engage in global conflicts.
Trump teases possible strikes against Iran, but says he’s not too late to trade
“I might do that. I might not,” Trump teased the possibility of a strike against Iran, but said it’s not too late to negotiate.
WASHINGTON – House and Senate lawmakers are split over how and whether they will act on President Donald Trump’s proposal that they can approve US strikes against Iran amid missile attacks between Iran and Israel.
Congress is the only branch of the government that has the power to declare war, according to the US Constitution, but in recent decades, the president has extended its own power to engage in foreign conflicts, as it allows strikes in defence cases.
When trade is blown away by an air war that escalates Israeli-Iran’s trade, Israel aims to take away Iran’s nuclear facilities with the potential for help from the US military. Trump said on June 18 that his decision was imminent and that he was not worried about disrupting the part of his core magazine’s political foundation, which he publicly warns against the US that is caught up in another foreign conflict.
Trump was the first to run for president in 2016 as a passionate critic of the war in Iraq. Once he reached the White House, he ordered Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani to take a drone strike without telling Congress. Former President Barack Obama advocated for the George W. Bush era war approval for drone strikes that covered the drone strikes in Yemen in the early 2000s. Former President Bill Clinton carried out missile strikes in Sudan and Afghanistan in 1998 without explicit parliamentary approval.
Some lawmakers from both parties say they want to make a statement on whether the US is involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel that began on June 13th when Israel hit Iran. Rep. Thomas Massie of R-Kentucky and Ro Khanna of D-California have introduced resolutions to block involvement in the conflict without Congressional approval.
“This is not our war,” Massy wrote to X.
Sen. Tim Kane, D-Virginia, introduced similar measures in the Senate. Both House and Senate resolutions are privileged. That means the Chamber of Commerce will be forced to vote for them soon next week, Kane said.
“Unless that war is absolutely necessary to protect the United States, it is not in national security interest to enter into a war with Iran,” Kane said in a statement. “I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran will soon be able to draw the United States into another endless conflict.”
However, the support for a solution may not fall properly along the party line.
Sen. John Fetterman of D-Pennsylvania said he would vote against Kaine’s push because he wants to allow Trump to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities. And Sen. R-Kentucky, Sen. R-Kentucky, said the constitution is “pretty clear” that it cannot bring the country to war without Congressional approval.
“You can’t have a president who’s just starting a war on his own,” Paul said. “So, if he should make that decision, he should come to Congress and ask for permission.”
However, many Republicans in the Senate say Trump is within his right to move unilaterally for a single strike.
“Historically, it is not understood that a single bombing execution requires Congressional permission,” said Sen. Ted Cruz of R-Texas. “To engage in sustained hostility and to engage in ongoing war, Congress must come to the floor.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham of R-South Carolina told CBS News on June 15 that the “worst outcome” was the survival of Iran’s nuclear program. He said it is desirable to destroy it through diplomacy.
But “If diplomacy is successful and we leave our power options, I urge President Trump to make sure that when this operation is over, there is nothing standing in Iran about their nuclear program,” he said. “If that means providing a bomb, then we will provide a bomb… If that means flying with Israel, then we will fly with Israel.”
Others keep the powder drying until Trump clarifies his plan.
Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, told reporters on June 17 that Trump was “within his right to do exactly what he has done.”
Thune said “I’m getting a cart before the horses here,” and Thune was asked if he would consider coming to the floor so that the resolution of the power of war comes to the floor.
“Obviously, if this is extended for a while, there may be a more complete debate about what the Congressional role is and whether there is a need to take action,” Thune said. “Now let us hope and pray for the best results, the best solution. In my view, it would agree that Iran will come to the negotiation table and end their nuclear program.”
