Lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced War Powers resolutions against Trump entering the conflict with express approval from Congress — but it’s not clear how much support they’ll attract, and resolutions have no legal authority. Per the Guardian:
On Tuesday, Republican congressman Thomas Massie, whose libertarian-tinged politics have often put him at odds with Trump, joined with several progressive Democrats to introduce in the House of Representatives a war powers resolution that would require a vote by Congress before Trump could attack Iran. Democrat Tim Kaine has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution,” Massie wrote on X in announcing the resolution. Democrats Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez replied “signing on” to the tweet, while Massie’s office later announced that several others, including chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Greg Casar, would also sponsor the resolution. …
Trump vetoed two War Powers resolutions during his first term, which concerned Iran and Yemen, and has called for a primary challenge against Massie for opposing his priorities.
Marjorie Taylor Green, who opposes the U.S. joining the war, said in a statement that she was withholding judgment for now:
While I’m opposed to America’s involvement in foreign wars and regime change, I do not see a need to sign on to Rep. Massie’s war powers resolution yet as we are not attacking Iran. I trust President Trump will deliver his campaign promises and turn this dangerous conflict between Israel and Iran into peace without war. If the situation changes, then I may sign on. We’ll see what happens.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer was noncommittal, telling NBC News that, “I believe Congress and Senate Democrats, if necessary, will not hesitate to exercise our authority.” Senate majority leader John Thune said Kaine’s resolution was “getting the cart ahead of the horse”:
This is something that’s happened the last few days. I think the President is perfectly within his authority in the steps that he has taken. You know clearly, if this thing were to extend for some period of time, there could be a more fulsome discussion about what the role of Congress should be, and and and whether or not we need to take action.
On Monday, Bernie Sanders and seven Democratic co-sponsors introduced a bill in the Senate called the No War Against Iran Act, which, if passed (and not vetoed, which it would be), would bar federal funds from being used for war against Iran without congressional authorization.
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