In a criticism of President Donald Trump, legislation has been introduced into both the Senate and House, respectively, which would require a debate and vote in Congress before any war with Iran would be allowed.
These War Powers Resolutions were introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and in the House by U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Barbara Lee (D-CA). The resolutions are Constitutionally-based, wherein Congress was granted the sole power to declare war. As such, the bills would require any hostilities undertaken against Iran to be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization of military force by Congress.
“The Senate must not let this President march into another war in the Middle East without authorization from Congress,” Durbin said. “The Constitution is clear – only the Congress can declare war. And whether it does or not, we must ask critical questions of what led us to this point and where we are headed, and be a reliable source of support for the men and women who bear the burden of battle.”
Notably, the resolutions would not prevent the U.S. from defending itself against imminent attack, from Iran or anywhere else. They would, however, force a public debate and vote as to whether the U.S. should wage such a war.
Meanwhile, over the weekend, Trump tweeted out a notification of military intent to Congress.
“These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner,” Trump said. “Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!”
It followed a repeated threat by the president to target Iranian cultural sites, though both comments have come under fire both in the U.S. and abroad. All of these actions follow the U.S. assassination by drone of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, considered a hero in Iran but a terrorist by the U.S.
“Let’s not mince words: the assassination of Qasem Soleimani was an act of war undertaken without Congressional authorization, in violation of the Constitution of the United States of America,” Omar said. “Following the assassination, thousands of additional troops were sent to the Middle East in one of the largest rapid deployments seen in decades. This follows years of saber-rattling and threats of war against Iran by President Trump and his accomplices. We in Congress must exercise our Constitutional duty—and do everything in our power to stop another disastrous war.”