This is a chance for Republicans to show some backbone, a prime opportunity where they are not disobeying Dear Leader, only saying that a conflict over 60 days old requires Congressional approval. The usual cast of GOP fence sitters are commenting, but we'll see if they cave.
Passing this would be symbolic, as Trump would not adhere to any conditions it might impose.
The Senate is set to vote Wednesday on a resolution to block President Donald Trump from ordering further strikes on Iran after the two sides reached a fragile ceasefire.
The vote is the latest test of lawmakers’ support for the unpopular conflict since Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s “whole civilization.” Trump imposed a naval blockade on the country on Monday after negotiations to end the conflict collapsed.
The resolution faces tough odds in the Senate. Democrats have forced votes on three similar measures since the war’s start, all of which have failed. Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky) is the only Republican who has joined Democrats to support them, while Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) has opposed them.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) said he hopes to avoid more Republicans breaking with their party on the war powers vote. But some Republicans have expressed increasing concern about Congress’s lack of input on the war as it approaches the two-month mark — an important legal deadline.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 — the law Democrats are using to force war powers votes — also requires presidents to remove U.S. forces from any conflict that Congress has not authorized within 60 days. Trump can obtain a 30-day extension if he certifies to Congress that it is an “unavoidable military necessity.”
Trump predicted shortly after the war started that it would be over within four or five weeks, but lawmakers now are staring down the 60-day deadline, which arrives May 1.
“The president recognized ahead of time when he first went into Iran that this was going to be a short-term thing, right?” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said. “We’re probably not going to be dealing with 60 days. Well, here we are.”
Thune did not say Wednesday when asked if he wants Trump to seek authorization from Congress before the 60-day mark, but he has called for the administration to articulate how to end the war as it approaches.
“They need a plan for how to wind this down and how to get an outcome that actually leads to a safer, more secure Middle East,” Thune told reporters.
Some Senate Republicans have gone further. Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) has said he will not support more funding for military operations against Iran unless Congress declares war. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she believes Congress needs to authorize the conflict if it exceeds 60 days or if the U.S. deploys ground troops, which Trump has not ruled out.
WaPo
Passing this would be symbolic, as Trump would not adhere to any conditions it might impose.
The Senate is set to vote Wednesday on a resolution to block President Donald Trump from ordering further strikes on Iran after the two sides reached a fragile ceasefire.
The vote is the latest test of lawmakers’ support for the unpopular conflict since Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s “whole civilization.” Trump imposed a naval blockade on the country on Monday after negotiations to end the conflict collapsed.
The resolution faces tough odds in the Senate. Democrats have forced votes on three similar measures since the war’s start, all of which have failed. Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky) is the only Republican who has joined Democrats to support them, while Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) has opposed them.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) said he hopes to avoid more Republicans breaking with their party on the war powers vote. But some Republicans have expressed increasing concern about Congress’s lack of input on the war as it approaches the two-month mark — an important legal deadline.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 — the law Democrats are using to force war powers votes — also requires presidents to remove U.S. forces from any conflict that Congress has not authorized within 60 days. Trump can obtain a 30-day extension if he certifies to Congress that it is an “unavoidable military necessity.”
Trump predicted shortly after the war started that it would be over within four or five weeks, but lawmakers now are staring down the 60-day deadline, which arrives May 1.
“The president recognized ahead of time when he first went into Iran that this was going to be a short-term thing, right?” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said. “We’re probably not going to be dealing with 60 days. Well, here we are.”
Thune did not say Wednesday when asked if he wants Trump to seek authorization from Congress before the 60-day mark, but he has called for the administration to articulate how to end the war as it approaches.
“They need a plan for how to wind this down and how to get an outcome that actually leads to a safer, more secure Middle East,” Thune told reporters.
Some Senate Republicans have gone further. Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) has said he will not support more funding for military operations against Iran unless Congress declares war. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she believes Congress needs to authorize the conflict if it exceeds 60 days or if the U.S. deploys ground troops, which Trump has not ruled out.
WaPo
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