Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are proposing a vote next week on the War Powers Act, which, if approved, could limit President Trump’s use of military force.
US and Israel report explosion during attack on Iran
As nuclear talks stall and military tensions rise, the US and Israel attack Iran as Tehran is rocked by explosions.
WASHINGTON – Congress is divided largely along partisan lines over how to respond to the military attack on Iran, with Republicans backing President Donald Trump and Democrats arguing that it is a “war of choice” that should be constitutionally approved by lawmakers.
“Iran faces serious consequences for its evil actions,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). He said President Trump “made every effort to pursue a peaceful and diplomatic solution” to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but his adversaries are instead arming and funding terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
But House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Democrats intend to force a House vote next week on whether to authorize the use of military force.
“The Trump administration must immediately explain its position to the American people and Congress, provide a firm justification for this act of war, clearly define its national security objectives, and articulate a plan to avoid another costly and prolonged military quagmire in the Middle East,” Jeffries said in a statement.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed the leaders of both houses of Congress and the intelligence committees of both houses this week. But President Trump did not ask Congress for permission to launch what he called a “large-scale combat operation” in Iran.
The constitution provides that Congress has the power to “declare war.” But the president has said he may take military action to protect Americans and the military. Congress approved the War Powers Act in 1973, restricting the president to notify lawmakers within 48 hours of deploying troops and requiring them to be removed within 60 to 90 days unless Congress declares war or approves an extension.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said he will once again work with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to force a vote on the War Powers Act.
“I’m against this war,” Massey said on social media. “This is not ‘America First.'”
Another House Republican, Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio, said on social media on February 26 that “war requires Congressional authorization” and that “no lawsuits have been filed.” However, he has not commented publicly since the military action began.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said the Constitution gives Congress the power to start wars “to make war less likely,” and said he opposes President Trump’s “preemptive wars” in the Middle East.
“The executive branch is the most war-prone branch, so the Constitution delegates war powers to the legislature out of an abundance of caution,” said James Madison, the Constitution’s primary author and the nation’s fourth president, on social media.
“As with all wars, my purest instinct is to pray for the safety of American soldiers and the success of their missions,” Paul added. “However, because my oath of office is constitutional, I must err on the side of caution and oppose another presidential war.”
In another partisan split, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who has often spoken out against party leadership, also supported the attack.
“President Trump has been willing to do what is right and necessary to bring true peace to the region,” Fetterman said on social media.
The rift between House and Senate leaders and members of the Intelligence Committee was even more pronounced.
Iran ‘posed a clear and unacceptable threat’: Thun
Senate Minority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) praised President Trump’s actions on Iran in a social media post, saying that for too long Iran has “posed a clear and unacceptable threat to our military, our people in the region, and many of our allies.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the leader of the Senate committee, said on social media that “Finally, the Ayatollahs’ butcher’s bill is due.”
“Nuclear weapons program. Thousands of missiles. State sponsorship of terrorism. Iran has been at war against the United States for 47 years, including the hostage crisis, the Beirut Marine Barracks and Khobar Towers, the roadside bombs that killed or seriously injured thousands of American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the attempted assassination of President Trump,” Cotton said.
Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said President Trump’s goal in negotiations with Iran is clear: to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons.
“Iran cannot ever be allowed to maintain nuclear weapons or nuclear weapons capability. The safety of the American people and our allies is at stake,” Crawford said in a statement. “Furthermore, President Trump has given Iran many opportunities to take diplomatic channels.”
Democrats demand vote on whether to authorize military force
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said President Trump needs to provide more information about the legitimacy and purpose of the military strike. He called for a secret conference with all senators and a vote on war powers.
“The administration has failed to provide Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat,” Schumer said on social media. “Confronting Iran’s malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions, and severe repression of the Iranian people will require U.S. strength, resolve, regional coordination, and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trump’s continued violent attacks and risk of broader conflict are not a viable strategy.”
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the panel, asked how the latest attack would make the United States safer.
Warner said President Trump carried out a major U.S. attack that went beyond its nuclear and missile infrastructure and also targeted Iran’s senior leadership. Warner said the president needs to offer “a clear legal justification, a clear end state, and a plan to avoid dragging the United States into another costly and unnecessary war.”
Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, accused President Trump of plunging the United States into a “massive war with Iran.”
“Against the clear wishes of the American people, President Trump has plunged our country into a major war with Iran. He has never advocated war, never sought the authority of Congress, and has no end goal in mind,” Reid said in a statement. “President Trump chose war when diplomacy was still within reach.”
Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, called the attack “a war of choice with no strategic end goal.”
“A conflict with Iran could easily spiral and escalate in ways we cannot foresee,” he warned.
