The Senate approved a bipartisan measure Thursday limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to launch military operations against Iran.
The measure, authored by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia., says Trump must win approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran. Eight Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the resolution by a 55-45 vote.
Eight Republicans defy the president and join Dems in pushing forward war powers legislation to limit Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 13, 2020
Todd Young
Mike Lee
Lisa Murkowski
Susan Collins
Rand Paul
Bill Cassidy
Jerry Moran
Lamar Alexander
Kaine and other supporters said the resolution was not about Trump or even the presidency, but instead was an important reassertion of congressional power to declare war.
While Trump and other presidents “must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there,” Kaine said. "An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote.”
The Democratic-controlled House passed a separate, nonbinding war powers resolution last month. The House could take up the Senate resolution later this month, said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland.
Two-thirds votes in the House and GOP-run Senate would be needed to override an expected Trump veto.
Americans do not want another endless war.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 12, 2020
And President Trump does not have the authority for a war with Iran.
This War Powers Resolution can send a clear, bipartisan message to President Trump and assert Congress’s authority over war and peace. https://t.co/boMtVcT4YM
Answering a claim by some of Trump's supporters and Trump himself that the measure would send a signal of weakness to Iran and other potential adversaries, Kaine said the opposite was true.
“When we stand up for the rule of law — in a world that hungers for more rule of law — and say ‘this decision is fundamental, and we have rules that we are going to follow so we can make a good decision,’ that's a message of strength,” Kaine said.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, agreed. Lee supports Trump’s foreign policy, including toward Iran, but said Congress cannot escape its constitutional responsibility to act on matters of war and peace.
“What the American people and the entire world will see from the debate we're about to have in the Senate is that there is abundant support for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran,” Lee said Wednesday. “And as part of that we want to make sure that any military action that needs to be authorized is in fact properly authorized by Congress. That doesn't show weakness. That shows strength.’”
The Senate just passed the War Powers Resolution. In doing so, we’ve sent a strong, bipartisan message that Congress has the sole power to declare war. Contrary to what Trump thinks, the Constitution doesn't give him “the right to do whatever" he wants—like start a war with Iran. pic.twitter.com/nn2YisRdsZ
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) February 13, 2020
We can’t afford a reckless, unauthorized, and illegal war with Iran. I’m glad the Senate stood up to Trump’s warmongering and passed the War Powers Resolution – but we need to go further and repeal the 2001 & 2002 AUMFs to #StopEndlessWar! https://t.co/OF3MJ0tJil
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) February 13, 2020
The principle of congressional approval is established for an important reason, Kaine said. “If we’re to order our young men and women ... to risk their lives in war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation by the people’s elected legislature and not on the say-so of any one person.”
Trump disputed that, arguing in two tweets Wednesday that a vote against Kaine’s proposal was important to national security and pointed to the Jan. 3 drone strike that killed Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani.
“We are doing very well with Iran, and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani,” Trump said. “If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don’t let it happen!”
....If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don’t let it happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020
Tehran responded to the U.S. attack on Soleimani by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops. The attack caused traumatic brain injuries in at least 64 U.S. soldiers, the Pentagon said. The number, according to some reports, might be more than 100.
Democrats and Republicans criticized a briefing by the Trump administration shortly after the drone strike, saying U.S. officials offered vague information about a possible attack being planned by Iran but no substantial details.
Kaine has long pushed for action reasserting congressional power to declare war.
At Republicans’ request, he removed initial language that targeted Trump in favor of a generalized statement declaring that Congress has the sole power to declare war. The resolution also directs Trump to terminate use of military force against Iran or any part of its government without approval from Congress.
Senate kills Tom Cotton amendment to war powers measure, 54-46, an amendment that proponents believed would have tanked the underlying bill, which is aimed at limit Trump’s authority to wage war against Iran. With the amendment defeated, bill should pass later today
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 13, 2020
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a co-sponsor, called the resolution “much needed and long overdue.” She said during the last decade, “Congress has too often abdicated its constitutional responsibility on authorizing the sustained use of military force.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, and many other Republicans opposed the resolution, saying it weakens the president and that it would send the wrong message to Iran and U.S. allies.
Senate Democrats spent years saying “when it comes to Iran, we should never take the military option off the table.”
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) February 11, 2020
But now, after criticizing the successful strike on Soleimani, they want to pass a resolution to limit President Trump’s authorities. pic.twitter.com/IjyHS3M3dc
This shortsighted resolution serves only to embolden Iran and increase the likelihood of further attacks.
— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) February 13, 2020
Make no mistake: handcuffing President Trump’s ability to defend our country from attack is not just reckless, it is downright dangerous. https://t.co/8uf4Vk7HXa
This is why resolution in Senate decreases deterrence & increases the risk of war#Iran will think they can kill Americans without strong retaliation because they will mistakenly believe @potus faces bipartisan restraints on retailiatory options
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 13, 2020
Foolishhttps://t.co/YuExYKweWp
The strike against known terrorist Qasem Soleimani was the culmination of eight months of Iranian escalation & US restraint. The War Powers Resolution falsely states we are engaged in hostilities against Iran & weakens any president’s constitutional duty as Commander in Chief.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) February 13, 2020