Kaine, Schumer, & Schiff Push for Vote on Iran War Powers Resolution
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), announced that they will force a vote in the coming days on their War Powers Resolution to ensure any U.S. participation in hostilities against Iran is explicitly authorized by Congress. It would not prevent the U.S. from defending itself or Israel from an Iranian attack. The War Powers Resolution is privileged; it was introduced on January 29 and may be called up for a vote on the Senate floor.
“Last month, President Trump threatened military strikes against the Iranian regime because of its crackdown on brave Iranian protesters. Now, he’s threatening military force over Iran’s nuclear program despite claiming last year that it was ‘totally obliterated’ during Operation Midnight Hammer. It is clear that President Trump and his team have no strategy, and we shouldn’t risk the lives of U.S. servicemembers and Americans in the region for a mission with unclear objectives,” said Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. “President Trump must come to Congress before using military force unless absolutely necessary to defend the United States from an imminent attack. The American people do not want another forever war, and we should be focused on lowering costs at home, not starting unnecessary and wildly expensive wars abroad. We should have a debate in Congress in full view of the American public so they can understand what’s at stake. We will force a vote on our bipartisan War Powers Resolution in the coming days and make every senator decide whether they think it is in the best interest of the United States to send our nation’s sons and daughters into harm’s way.”
“Donald Trump must make the case to Congress and the American people on what the objectives or strategy would be for any potential military campaign against Iran. The American people deserve to know the why and the how of any planned action against Iran before we risk the lives of our sons and daughters,” said Leader Schumer. “Iran’s ongoing campaign of terrorism, regional destruction and oppression of the Iranian people must be met with a coherent strategy built on strength and clarity. This resolution ensures this administration cannot sleepwalk this country into an endless and costly war. It is vital that Congress stand up for its constitutional duty.”
“Donald Trump has once again deployed massive amounts of American firepower abroad without Congressional approval to use military force,” said Schiff. “And behind closed doors, our nation's military leaders are raising the alarm about the risks to U.S. troops during a potential attack on Iran, while the public is left in the dark. Congress must reassert its war powers, or it risks losing them for good.”
Last June, the Senate voted on a similar War Powers Resolution introduced by Kaine to prevent the use of military force against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The June resolution gained bipartisan support but did not receive enough votes to advance.
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